FIFA Master Alumni - Where are they now? - Gina Franco

Gina Franco

Current Position: Women’s Football Expert at FIFA and Community Relations Manager at USL(S)- Carolina Ascent

Year of graduation: 2025 (25th edition)

Nationality: Colombia / USA

What does your current role involve?

My career in football began as a young player and over the years, I had the opportunity to compete at elite and then professional levels. My love for the game naturally led me into coaching, where I discovered a passion for player development. This allowed me to connect with the game in a new way, which ultimately led to a leadership role as Director of Member Services and developing curricula for different programmes. These experiences inspired me to pursue further education through the FIFA Master, with the goal of working in football development.

Since completing the FIFA Master, I have balanced two roles, first my work with FIFA as a Women’s Football Expert, I support development initiatives, collaborate with member associations, and help strengthen pathways and participation across the region. At the same time, with Carolina Ascent, I lead community engagement efforts, building partnerships and creating meaningful connections that expand the club’s impact locally.

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

I took many valuable lessons from my time studying on the FIFA Master. As one of the youngest in my class, I was constantly pushed outside of my comfort zone, which became a key driver of my personal and professional growth. Working alongside individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences taught me how to adapt, communicate effectively and thrive in unfamiliar environments. Through group projects and the nine-month dissertation, I developed leadership skills, resilience and the ability to collaborate under pressure. Living and working so closely with people who began as strangers also taught me patience, empathy and mutual respect. These experiences extend far beyond the classroom and have been instrumental in shaping the skills needed to succeed in the global sports industry.

Beyond the classroom, the programme offers invaluable networking opportunities, most notably through the alumni community, which remains a supportive and influential network that I continue to rely on today.

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

My advice to future students is to be the people and change you want to see in this industry. Truly embrace the little things the FIFA Master offers. Take in the culture of each country represented and invest in moments with your classmates. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone, whether that means speaking up, taking on leadership roles, engaging with high-profile guest speakers or fully participating in every experience. But, most importantly, stay open to the diversity around you. The year goes by faster than you expect, and by the time you present your final project, the challenges that once felt big won’t matter. You’ll realize the alumni were right…it really does fly by.

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked Europe's No.1 course a record 13 times by SportBusiness.

Organised by CIES in cooperation with De Montfort University (UK), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

"CIES, 30+ years of impacting how sport is managed worldwide" & "FIFA Master, 25+ years of Excellence in Sport Business Education"