Michael "MICKEY" Thompson

Education:

• B.A. in Business Administration, University of California, Berkeley
• M.B.A., London Business School

Experience:
With over 20 years of experience in the event management and hospitality industries, Michael Thompson has led FESTICORP to become a global leader in creating exceptional events. Prior to his role as Managing Director & CEO, Michael held senior leadership positions in several multinational corporations, managing large-scale event projects and driving business growth across Europe, Asia, and North America. His experience spans corporate events, sports entertainment, and large public celebrations, with a focus on strategic direction and operational excellence.

Role at FESTICORP:
As Managing Director & CEO, Michael provides visionary leadership and strategic direction, overseeing the company’s global operations and growth. He is responsible for shaping FESTICORP’s long-term goals, maintaining a focus on innovation, and ensuring the delivery of exceptional event experiences worldwide. Michael is dedicated to upholding the company’s values of creativity, excellence, and customer satisfaction while fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance across all teams. Under his leadership, FESTICORP continues to expand its global footprint, building lasting partnerships and delivering impactful events for clients across industries.

Education:

• B.A. in Business Administration, Harvard University
• M.B.A., Stanford Graduate School of Business

Experience:
Sophia brings 15 years of experience in corporate event planning, specializing in high-level business conferences, executive retreats, and product launches. Her clients have included Fortune 500 companies, and she has a proven track record of curating impactful events that foster business growth and relationship-building.

Role at FESTICORP:
As Director of Corporate Events, Sophia seamlessly integrates her business acumen with FESTICORP’s mission of creating memorable corporate experiences. She ensures that every corporate event is a blend of professionalism and innovation, driving the company’s mission of delivering flawless, impactful events. Sophia works closely with clients to align event objectives with business outcomes, ensuring every event supports long-term strategic goals.

Education:

• B.A. in Sports Management, University of Michigan
• M.S. in Event Planning and Management, Columbia University

Experience:
John has over 12 years of experience in the sports event industry, working with high-profile organizations and brands to bring world-class sports events to life. His expertise spans organizing everything from large-scale international tournaments to corporate sporting engagements. He has been instrumental in executing successful events like the Global Sports Expo and the National Corporate Sports League.

Role at FESTICORP:
John’s leadership at FESTICORP is pivotal in ensuring every sports event delivers exceptional experiences for both participants and fans. With his extensive background in sports entertainment, John ensures that every event aligns with the company's commitment to creativity, precision, and outstanding results. His passion for sports and his eye for detail ensures that FESTICORP continues to set industry standards in sports events management.

Education:

• B.A. in Marketing, University of California, Los Angeles
• Certificate in Sports Marketing, University of Chicago

Experience:
David has a diverse background in sports marketing and entertainment, with a focus on creating memorable fan experiences and sponsorship activations for major sporting events. With over 10 years of experience working with brands like Nike, Red Bull, and ESPN, David has an in-depth understanding of how to create engaging, fan-centric events that drive both brand engagement and fan loyalty.

Role at FESTICORP:
David’s role at FESTICORP is to bridge the gap between sports entertainment and event management. His expertise in sports marketing ensures that FESTICORP’s events not only meet client expectations but also provide unmatched experiences that engage fans and sponsors. David’s passion for sports, combined with his strategic vision, supports FESTICORP’s mission to lead the industry in creating events that leave a lasting impact.

Education:

• B.A. in Hospitality Management, Cornell University
• M.S. in Strategic Event Management, New York University

Experience:
Emily has over 18 years of experience in corporate event management, specializing in high-profile executive conferences, incentive trips, and large-scale corporate gatherings. She has successfully managed events for major global corporations, focusing on creating seamless experiences that enhance brand recognition and employee engagement. Emily’s work includes planning large conferences, award ceremonies, and international leadership retreats.

Role at FESTICORP:
As the Director of Corporate Events Management, Emily brings her wealth of experience and strategic approach to ensure the highest standards of excellence in every event. Her role involves overseeing complex event logistics, managing teams, and ensuring that each corporate event delivers its intended message and impact. Emily is committed to maintaining FESTICORP’s reputation for flawless execution while fostering innovation and excellence in corporate event planning.

Education:

• B.A. in Digital Media and Communications, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• M.A. in Marketing and Advertising, University of Southern California (USC)

Experience:

Sarah brings over 10 years of experience in digital marketing, content creation, and design. Having worked with some of the leading global brands, she has a deep understanding of online marketing strategies and the importance of cohesive brand storytelling across various platforms. Sarah has led digital marketing campaigns for e-commerce, B2B, and lifestyle brands, optimizing their online presence, boosting SEO rankings, and increasing customer engagement through innovative content strategies.

Her experience spans all aspects of online marketing, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC), social media marketing, graphic design, and content development. She has a proven track record in driving online growth through creative design and technical know-how, ensuring the delivery of high-performance marketing strategies that align with business goals.

Role at FESTICORP:
As the Director of Digital Marketing and Content Strategy, Sarah is responsible for developing and executing innovative online marketing campaigns that drive engagement, conversions, and brand recognition. She leads the design and content teams, overseeing digital assets, from website copy and graphics to social media content and paid media ads. Sarah’s technical expertise in digital platforms and marketing tools ensures that FESTICORP stays at the forefront of digital trends, ensuring a competitive edge in the event management industry. She is committed to enhancing FESTICORP’s online presence through integrated marketing strategies, ensuring that the company remains a leading brand in the events industry.

 Education:

• B.Tech in Computer Science, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
• M.S. in Information Technology, Stanford University

Experience:
Rajesh Kumar is a seasoned technology leader with over 15 years of experience in the IT sector. With a strong background in software development, IT infrastructure management, and cybersecurity, Rajesh has worked with a wide range of companies, from startups to large multinational corporations. He has successfully led technology transformation initiatives, optimizing IT systems, improving software efficiency, and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures. Rajesh is also highly experienced in driving digital innovation and supporting business growth through cutting-edge technology solutions.

Throughout his career, Rajesh has worked across diverse industries, implementing scalable IT strategies that enable business continuity and foster innovation. He has been instrumental in launching enterprise-level solutions, improving cloud infrastructure, and utilizing data analytics for better decision-making. His leadership in IT operations, coupled with his passion for emerging technologies like AI and machine learning, has helped businesses achieve greater operational efficiency.

Role at FESTICORP:
As the Director of IT and Technology, Rajesh is responsible for overseeing all aspects of FESTICORP’s technology infrastructure, ensuring that all IT systems run efficiently and securely. He leads a team of IT professionals and collaborates closely with other departments to implement technology-driven solutions that enhance operational performance. Rajesh’s leadership extends to managing the development of new tech innovations and ensuring that FESTICORP remains at the forefront of digital transformation in the events industry. His work is essential in providing the technological backbone that supports FESTICORP's global expansion and the delivery of innovative, seamless event experiences.

Education:

• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in HR Management, Institute of Business and Retail Management (IBRM), Pune University

Experience:
Paresh Raut brings over 24 years of strategic HR leadership experience across the APAC, MENA, and UK regions. He has a proven track record in driving HR business partnering initiatives, leading talent acquisition strategies, and enhancing employee engagement. Paresh is an expert in HR technology integration, including spearheading AI-driven HR transformation to streamline operations and drive efficiency.

Throughout his career, Paresh has successfully managed large, multi-regional teams, aligning HR strategies with business objectives to ensure optimal performance. His deep understanding of regional labor laws, compliance requirements, and union negotiations has enabled him to foster a workplace culture that is inclusive, diverse, and high performing. Paresh's skills extend to adapting HR practices to local regulations while leveraging HR technologies to create a seamless employee experience across global markets.

Role at FESTICORP:

Since joining FESTICORP in September 2023, Paresh has played a pivotal role in aligning global HR strategies with the company’s objectives in the APAC and MENA regions. He is responsible for leading all HR operations, from talent acquisition to employee development, ensuring that HR strategies are adapted to regional needs and compliant with local laws. Paresh’s leadership has been key to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence, as well as ensuring FESTICORP remains competitive in the global marketplace.

His strategic approach to HR and commitment to AI-driven transformation are helping FESTICORP stay at the forefront of modern HR practices while maintaining a high standard of employee engagement and performance.

• B.S. in Sports Management, University of Southern California
• M.B.A. in Strategic Management, Harvard Business School

Sarah Mitchell is an experienced Chief Operating Officer with over 18 years of expertise in the sports and entertainment industry. With her comprehensive knowledge of managing large-scale events and operations across multiple regions, Sarah has successfully implemented operational strategies that support global growth. She is particularly skilled in overseeing complex logistics, enhancing operational efficiency, and optimizing resources in both the London and APAC regions.

Her leadership is defined by her ability to collaborate across regions and manage diverse teams, enabling businesses to deliver exceptional sports events. Throughout her career, Sarah has maintained a strong focus on ensuring smooth operations, boosting revenue, and enhancing the overall experience for all stakeholders. Her ability to foster cross-regional collaborations and implement innovative solutions has helped her lead some of the largest sports events on the global stage.

As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for FestiCorp, Sarah Mitchell plays a critical role in ensuring the company’s operational excellence and success in the London and APAC regions. She drives the strategic direction for operations, overseeing the seamless execution of high-profile sports events and entertainment initiatives in both regions. Through her leadership, Sarah ensures that all events are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards, while maintaining a strong focus on growth, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Sarah’s ability to lead cross-functional teams and adapt operational strategies to meet the unique challenges and opportunities in both the London and APAC regions makes her a vital asset to the FestiCorp leadership team. She continues to play an instrumental role in shaping the company's future growth and success across these key markets.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management, University of Singapore
• Master’s Degree in Organizational Development, University of Melbourne

Experience:
Amina Khalid is a strategic HR leader with over 18 years of experience in Talent Acquisition across the APAC and MENA regions. She has a deep understanding of talent pipelines, recruitment strategies, and sourcing methodologies that enable her to attract top-tier talent and drive organizational growth. Amina has successfully built recruitment frameworks for diverse industries, managing high-volume hiring and executive search processes.

Her expertise in leveraging AI and advanced recruitment technologies allows her to optimize hiring processes, reduce time-to-hire, and enhance candidate experience. Amina’s focus on diversity and inclusion ensures that every recruitment effort contributes to creating a varied and balanced workforce, reflecting the company’s values.

Amina has worked with international organizations to drive talent strategies that align with business goals, ensuring a seamless hiring process that attracts, engages, and retains the best talent available in competitive markets.

Role at FESTICORP:
As  Sr. Manager of Talent Acquisition - APAC & MENA at FESTICORP, Amina is responsible for leading the company’s talent acquisition strategy across these two key regions. She oversees the full recruitment cycle, from interviewing  to hiring the best candidates. Amina’s leadership ensures that the Talent Acquisition function operates at peak efficiency, using data-driven insights to make informed hiring decisions.

She works closely with senior management to align recruitment goals with the company’s broader objectives, ensuring that FESTICORP attracts individuals who will drive performance and innovation. Amina is also focused on creating a positive candidate experience, streamlining the hiring process to make it more efficient, transparent, and inclusive.

Her commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in her recruitment strategies, where she ensures that every hire contributes to building a more diverse and high-performing workforce. Through her leadership, Amina has helped FESTICORP establish a strong employer brand that attracts top talent, positioning the company as a leader in its industry.