Sport Evolution Alliance team combines highly specialised experts in the field of Project Management, Monitoring and Implementation, Research, Marketing and Dissemination, with a worldwide network of sport stakeholders. We are capable of working in different areas and contexts in the field of sport. The diversity of experiences and backgrounds of the team’s experts is an added value for our performance.
Rui Vieira
Rui Vieira is a founding partner and Director of Sport Evolution Alliance, where he leads the organisation’s strategic development and contributes to the design, management and implementation of projects supported by European funding programmes. With extensive experience in sport management, international cooperation and project development, his work focuses on areas such as dual careers, social inclusion, equal opportunities, youth development and health-enhancing physical activity.
Alongside his work in European projects, Rui has built a distinguished career in high-performance sport. He served as High Performance Technical Director of the Portuguese Judo Federation, contributing to the preparation process that led to Portugal’s only Olympic medal across all sports at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Internationally, he also held leadership positions as Performance Director of the Saudi Arabia Judo Federation and Technical Sport Adviser to the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee.
Rui holds a degree in Sports Science, with additional specialisations in sport management and the training of psychological skills in elite athletes, as well as a Master’s degree in High-Performance Sport. His experience across grassroots, educational, inclusive and elite sport environments provides SEA with a broad and strategic perspective on the development of impactful sport initiatives.
Juliane Robra, OLY
Juliane Robra is a partner at Sport Evolution Alliance, bringing expertise in sport innovation, management and organisational development. Her work focuses on promoting sustainable and inclusive approaches to sport and physical activity, while fostering collaboration between public institutions, sport organisations and private stakeholders.
A former elite judoka and Olympian at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Juliane reached a career-high world ranking of sixth and achieved multiple international podium finishes at Grand Slams, Grand Prix events and European Championships. Since 2016, she has been working in sport and physical activity management and is committed to the development of strategies, programmes and initiatives that promote participation, access, equal opportunities, and the quality of sport and physical activity.
Juliane has completed the Australian Sport Technology Pre-Accelerator Program, Innosuisse Business Growth Courses, and academic qualifications in sport policy and management through the University of Lausanne and IDHEAP. She currently serves as Vice-President and Gender Equity Responsible of the Swiss Judo Federation, as well as General Secretary of the Swiss Sports Services Association. Passionate about the positive role of sport in society, she is committed to creating opportunities that support wellbeing, inclusion and sustainable development.
Nuno Dias
Nuno Dias is a founding partner of Sport Evolution Alliance, where he contributes to the coordination, communication and international dissemination of European projects. His work focuses on promoting safe sport environments, inclusion, sustainability, dual careers and positive social impact through sport and education.
Throughout his career, Nuno has combined expertise in research, communication and sport development. As a licensed journalist and communication specialist, he has extensive experience in media relations, marketing and stakeholder engagement, supporting the visibility and outreach of international initiatives. His background as an elite athlete and coach has also enabled him to build a strong network within the national and international sport ecosystem.
Nuno is currently a PhD candidate in Health and Exercise and a researcher at CIDEFES, within the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Universidade Lusófona. His research focuses on physical activity, health promotion and gender equality. He holds a Master’s degree in Sport, Physical Literacy and Education and has been recognised for his contributions to sport, including being elected Best Portuguese Male Athlete by CNID – the Portuguese Association of Sport Journalists in 2019. He continues to contribute to sport as a coach in Karate, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu.
Priscila Marconcin, PhD
Priscila Marconcin is a partner and member of the Supervisory Board of Sport Evolution Alliance. She is a researcher specialising in physical activity, exercise and health, with a particular focus on healthy ageing, mental wellbeing and the role of physical activity in improving quality of life across different populations.
Throughout her academic and professional career, Priscila has contributed extensively to research and innovation in the fields of exercise and health, authoring numerous publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. She is actively involved in international initiatives, including Erasmus+ projects focused on health promotion and wellbeing. She is also the founder and coordinator of PLENO, a community-based programme that has supported individuals with knee osteoarthritis since 2015.
Priscila holds a PhD in Physical Activity and Health from the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon and completed a postdoctoral research project focused on mental health, physical activity and health behaviours among European adults and older adults. She currently coordinates the Master’s programme in Exercise and Health at the Piaget Institute and serves as a researcher and lecturer in the fields of physical activity, sport and health.
Tiago Ribeiro, PhD
Tiago Ribeiro is a founding partner and Audit Committee member of Sport Evolution Alliance. He is a researcher with experience in the sport management field and, in particular, on national and international sport events. His areas of expertise are social and educational capital, impacts and legacies through major sport events and video gaming environments. Tiago is also an expert in statistical modelling and latent growth.
He has a Ph.D. in Sport Management, and he has successfully completed the “Administration Post-doctorate Programme” at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He was also a research fellow in Olympics Management, co-funded by Carlos Chagas Foundation and “PhD Student Award Research Grant”, co-funded by Olympic Studies Centre. In 2022, Tiago received an honourable mention by the Portuguese Olympic Committee for his research focused on Olympic Education.
Tiago Ribeiro is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon. For many years he has organised some of the most prestigious sport events in Portugal and Brazil, and he was also research manager at Augusto Motta University Centre. He is a member of the Portuguese Olympic Academy, Portuguese Sport Management Association and Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being.
Vanessa Santos, PhD
Vanessa Santos is a Partner at Sport Evolution Alliance and an Exercise Physiologist, Assistant Professor and researcher specialising in exercise and health. Her work focuses on promoting wellbeing, healthy lifestyles and evidence-based physical activity interventions, with a particular interest in cardiovascular health, cardiac rehabilitation across the lifespan, active ageing, clinical exercise programmes and tactical populations.
Throughout her career, Vanessa has combined academic, clinical and community-based experience. She has contributed to cardiac rehabilitation programmes in hospital and community settings involving paediatric, adult and older populations and has been actively involved in projects promoting physical activity among vulnerable and underrepresented groups. She also participates in national and international research and development projects, bringing expertise in health promotion, physical fitness, cardiovascular health, exercise-based interventions and occupational performance in tactical populations.
Vanessa holds a PhD in Human Kinetics, specialising in Health and Physical Conditioning, from the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the Piaget Institute and a researcher at ICPOL, the Research and Development Unit of the Higher Institute of Police Sciences and Internal Security. Author of numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications, Vanessa regularly contributes as a speaker, reviewer and scientific advisor at national and international conferences in the fields of exercise, health and physical activity.
Thiago Santos, PhD
Thiago Santos is a founding partner of Sport Evolution Alliance and a researcher specialising in sport management, governance and organisational development. His work focuses on supporting the development of more effective, transparent and sustainable sport organisations through research, education and evidence-based practices.
Throughout his career, Thiago has combined academic excellence with practical experience in the management and evaluation of national and international sport programmes, including Erasmus+ Sport initiatives. He has contributed to projects focused on governance, inclusion and employability, while supporting organisations in the development of innovative and sustainable management practices. His expertise also includes consumer behaviour in sport, quantitative research and advanced research methodologies.
Thiago holds a PhD in Sport Management and completed a postdoctoral programme in Physical Education at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. He is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Porto and Director of the Master’s Degree Programme in Sport Management. Previously served as Assistant Professor at the Universidade Europeia and the Faculty of Human Kinetics of the University of Lisbon. He has co-authored books and articles and received recognition from the Portuguese Olympic Committee and the Millennium BCP Foundation for his contributions to sport research and development.
Katja Prodan
Katja Prodan is a partner and Project Manager of Sport Evolution Alliance. As a Project Manager, she has demonstrated exceptional skills in managing and coordinating European projects, especially those under the Erasmus+ Programme. Her role involves writing proposals, managing project teams, and ensuring effective monitoring and reporting. This experience underscores her adeptness in handling complex projects in the sports and education domains.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Education in Ljubljana. She has expanded her expertise with specialised training in sports and health, including certifications as a Judo Coach from the Slovenian Judo Federation, a Trainer for Sports Activities for Preschool Children from the Faculty of Sport Ljubljana, and a Trainer for Safe Pregnancy Programs from the Association of Physiotherapists of Slovenia. In 2021, she enhanced her project management skills with a Certificate from the Zavod Ypsilon Project Management Academy.
Katja Rudas is the current Education Commissioner in the European Judo Union, the continental judo federation. She is also a member of the Tender Commission and Gender Equality Commission at the Slovenian Judo Federation.
Luiz Haas, Phd
Luiz Haas is a founding partner and President of the General Assembly of Sport Evolution Alliance. He is a researcher, lecturer and consultant with extensive experience in sport management, governance and the development of national and international initiatives that promote good governance, organisational development and social responsibility in sport.
Throughout his career, Luiz has combined academic research with practical experience in consultancy, capacity-building and institutional development projects. His work focuses on supporting sport organisations in implementing more transparent, accountable and sustainable governance systems. He has also contributed to several European initiatives and research projects related to sport governance, athletes’ rights and organisational development.
Luiz holds a PhD in Human Kinetics, specialising in Sociology and Sport Management, and a Master’s degree in Sport Management from the Faculty of Human Kinetics at the University of Lisbon. He currently serves as Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management and Assistant Professor at Universidade Europeia in Lisbon, where he teaches and researches topics related to sport management, governance and marketing.
Sofie Smismans, PhD
Sofie Smismans is a partner at Sport Evolution Alliance with expertise in sport management, sport psychology and sport sociology. Her work focuses on the use of sport as a tool for social development, with particular interests in inclusion, gender equality, employability and skills development.
Throughout her career, Sofie has combined academic research, teaching and project management within the sport sector. Since 2017, she has been a researcher and lecturer at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where she has coordinated and contributed to a range of European and international initiatives, including Erasmus+ Sport and International Olympic Committee-related projects. Her experience spans project development, policy analysis and the evaluation of sport-based interventions designed to generate positive societal outcomes.
Sofie holds a PhD in Movement and Sport Sciences and a Master’s degree in Management. In addition to her research activities, she teaches courses in sport policy and sport management, helping prepare future professionals in the sport sector. Passionate about sport in general and football in particular, she is committed to promoting the role of sport as a driver for inclusion, education and social progress.
Leonardo Cunha
Leonardo Cunha is a partner and Vice-President of the General Assembly of Sport Evolution Alliance. With extensive experience in youth development, sport management, Olympism and social entrepreneurship, he is committed to using sport as a tool for education, capacity building and sustainable social development, particularly within Portuguese-speaking communities and emerging sport ecosystems.
Over the past decade, Leonardo has led and supported a wide range of initiatives related to youth empowerment, branding, sport development and international cooperation. Recognised internationally for his expertise in the management and implementation of Olympic Solidarity programmes, he is also a respected speaker, facilitator and trainer. His work focuses on creating opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities through innovative and impact-driven projects.
Leonardo currently serves as Executive Director of ACOLOP – the Association of Portuguese-speaking Olympic Committees, while also managing projects and sport development initiatives across different international contexts. He has lectured in higher education programmes related to sport and continues to pursue specialised training in business and project management, with a strong commitment to sustainable development and social impact.