ENGAGEMENT
CONNECTING THE FORCES SHAPING THE WORLD OF SPORT
Drawing on senior leadership across international sport and global business, Mayi brings clarity and direction to complex conversations. She connects commercial ambition, institutional responsibility and human progress.
Her approach helps audiences see the wider picture and identify what leaders can do next. She has brought this perspective to leading forums including FIFA, Global Sports Week Paris, The SPOT by ThinkSport, The Football Business Academy and the CSHR Sporting Chance Forum at the United Nations.
ENGAGEMENT THEMES
ENGAGEMENT THEMES
The Evolving Business of Sport:
How platform economics, commercial architecture and strategic partnerships create lasting value beyond events.
Governance, Trust & Leadership:
How leaders move from scale to alignment by connecting commercial ambition, governance and people to build trust, navigate competing interests and sustain progress.
The economy of Women’s Sport:
How investment, media and athlete visibility can turn the growing audiences for women’s sport into enduring commercial success, and the structures needed to sustain that growth.
Human Capital Development & Sport
How sport organisations develop people from athletes to leaders, connecting performance and wellbeing with skills, careers and life beyond the field of play.
ENGAGEMENT FOOTPRINT
ENGAGEMENT FOOTPRINT
A selection of speaking engagements, events, key moments, media features and practical resources that reflect Mayi’s work across global sport.
Speaking & Events
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![Title slide of a presentation with blurred background of a sports stadium or arena, displaying the text 'From Events to Platform Ecosystems: How Sport is Rebuilding its Commercial Architecture, May Cruz Blanco, 21 May 2026'.]()
2026 – Guest Speaker: From Events to Platform Ecosystems
MSc in Sports Business Management, International University of Monaco
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![Panel discussion with five people on stage, four seated and one standing, at an event with a backdrop featuring logos such as Red Bull, Denner, and others.]()
2026 – Panel: Empowerment, Migration and Sports Policy Challenges
Coubertin Meets Dunant Foundation (CMDF) and United Hockey Camp
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![Silhouettes of children holding hands walking through an indoor corridor with bright light at the end, with the logo and text 'UEFA Foundation for children' overlaid.]()
2025 – Fireside Chat with the Secretary General of the UEFA Foundation for Children
UEFA Season Kickoff, Monaco
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![UEFA Champions League trophy with neon orange and green geometric lines in the background.]()
2024 – Programme Moderator: UEFA UEL and UECL Partner Workshop
UEFA and TEAM Partner Summit, Emirates Stadium, London
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2023 – Panel: Transformational Leadership, Cultural Change and Sport Governance
CSHR Sporting Chance Forum, Palais des Nations, Geneva
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![A promotional image about trends influencing global sports, featuring Mayi Cruz Blanco and Kyle Israel from ThinkSport. The image includes a black-and-white photo of a female athlete with her arms outstretched, and another woman smiling and working at a desk. There is a large red YouTube play button indicating a video to watch on YouTube.]()
2023 – Keynote: Human Capital, Talent, Leadership and Trends Reshaping Global Sport
THE SPOT – ThinkSport, Lausanne
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![A woman with long dark hair wearing a black sleeveless top, black pants, and beige high heels speaking at a podium with a microphone. Behind her is a large screen displaying the logo of Major Events International (MEI).]()
2023 – Keynote: From Transactional to Empowered Partnerships: Marketing, Purpose, Athlete Influence and Technology
Hosts and Federations Summit, Olympic Museum, Lausanne
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![Screenshot of a virtual conference titled 'The Glass Ceiling Revisited: Have Women in Football Inspired?' with speaker names and titles, including Mayi Cruz Blanco, Dr. Eva Carneiro, Monique Choudhuri, Anna Kessel, Lungi Macebo, and Michelle Walder, displayed on a purple background.]()
2023 – Panel Moderator: Breaking the Glass Ceiling - The Structural Changes Needed In Football
Women in Football Be Inspired Conference, Wembley Stadium, London
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![A woman with dark, wavy hair speaking into a microphone on stage during a conference about social sports week in Paris, France. She is wearing a light blue blazer, white pants, and white sneakers. A man with a bald head and glasses is sitting next to her, holding a notepad and pen, listening to her. The background has a large screen displaying the words "Social Sports Week Paris" and colorful geometric designs.]()
2022 – Conversation: Examining the Relationship Between Athletes and the Sports Industry
Global Sports Week, Paris
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![Group of women and men posing in a room, participating in the Athlete Programmes Women Footballers Initiative Employability Workshop]()
2021 – Workshop: Women’s Football Employability and Career Strategy
Women in Football Partnership with the Adecco Group, London
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![Banner for Qatar Economic Forum with the title 'Building Legacy: Securing the Lasting Impact of Sporting Mega-Events' and the subtitle 'Powered by Bloomberg'.]()
2021 – Panel: Building Legacy and Securing the Lasting Impact of Sporting Mega-Events
Qatar Economic Forum, hosted online from Qatar
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![Woman giving a presentation at an event, wearing a white blazer and a name badge that reads 'May Cruz Blanco', with a banner in the background that reads 'International Paralympic Committee' and words like 'Courage', 'Determination', 'Inspiration', and 'Equality'.]()
2020 – Keynote: Athlete Career Transition Strategy to Support Paralympians
IPC and Adecco Group Athlete Programmes, IPC Headquarters, Germany
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![Four individuals sitting at a conference table with name tags and water bottles in front of them. Behind them is a blue banner with the WTO and WHO logos, and text that reads "OMC" and "Organisation Mondiale de Coopération".]()
2019 - Panel - World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Sports, Investment and the Economic Case for Gender Equality
World Trade Organisation, Geneva
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![A conference room with a large screen displaying a presentation titled 'Athlete Programs 2.0' and the logo of The Adecco Group. Several flags from different countries are on display, and people are seated in the audience with some individuals standing or on stage.]()
2019 – Keynote: Introducing a New Strategy for the Adecco Group Athlete Partnership Programme
IOC Athlete365 Career+ Forum, Lake Placid, New York
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![A group of people participating in a meeting or workshop, with one woman speaking and pointing to a flip chart, in a room with a large Coca-Cola vending machine and some drinking cups on the table.]()
2019 – Workshop: Athlete Career and Employability
IPC Athletes’ Forum, USOPC Headquarters, Colorado Springs
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![Two women sitting on a green grass-like platform, each holding a microphone. They are smiling and engaging with an audience against a backdrop with hashtags and logos, including #angirlanywhere, Twitter, Adidas, and OL Fondation.]()
2019 – Conversation: Equality, Football and Opportunities for Women and Girls
Equal Playing Field Equality Summit, PSG Academy, Lyon
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![Four people sitting on chairs at the Athens Women's Football Summit, with a blue backdrop behind them displaying the event's title and logos of sponsors.]()
2019 – Panels and Interventions: The Business Case for Women’s Football
Athens Women’s Football Summit, Athens
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![Woman speaking on stage at a sports leadership event, with red sports jerseys hanging behind her and a large screen displaying FIFA and Adidas logos, a football helmet, and various sponsor logos.]()
2018 – Keynote: 360° Leadership and the Change Needed in Football
Leadership Women Football Conference, Atlético Madrid, Madrid
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![A woman speaking at the Women's Economic Empowerment Global Summit with a pink backdrop and summit branding in Arabic and English.]()
2017 – Panel: Exploring How Sport Can Advance Women’s Economic Participation and Leadership
UN Women’s Economic Empowerment Global Summit, Sharjah, UAE
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![Mayi speaking at a podium with a brown curtain backdrop, next to a large brown banner that reads "Let's build the future of football together!" and includes the website www.the-fba.com. The banner has the logo for the Football Business Academy.]()
2017 - Launch of the Football Business Academy (The FBA)
The FBA, Geneva
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![Woman speaking at a podium with a microphone, wearing a black suit with 'FIFA' on the chest, in front of a screen and red wall.]()
2016 – Keynote: Launching Colombia’s Women’s League
Colombian Football Federation Headquarters, Medellín
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![FIFA Mayi]()
2016 – Workshop: FIFA Women’s Football Regional Coaching Event
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2016 Legacy Programme, FIFA, AFC and Jordan Football Association, Amman
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![Group of women smiling for a photo at FIFA Female Leadership Development Programme event, one woman sitting in front, others standing behind, some with arms around each other.]()
2016 – Highlights: FIFA Leadership Development Programme
FIFA and THNK School of Creative Leadership, Amsterdam
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![FIFA Mayi Conference]()
2015 – Keynote: Women’s Football Development and Strategy
International Women’s Day: Women’s Football and Leadership Conference, FIFA Headquarters, Zurich
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![People attending an event, examining a table with blue lanyards and name tags in a conference room.]()
2015 - Official Launch Highlights FIFA Leadership Programme
Legacy Programme - FIFA WWC Canada 2015 Vancouver
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![Two women speaking at a press conference with microphones, soda bottles, and a soccer ball on the table, and banners in the background.]()
2015 - Media Briefing: FIFA Women’s World Cup Legacy Media Briefing
Legacy Programme - FIFA WWC Canada 2015, Vancouver
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![Banner advertising a regional seminar for member associations of FIFA, featuring an image of a soccer player in yellow jersey heading a ball, woman speaker at podium, and FIFA logo.]()
2013 - Keynote: FIFA Regional Seminar for Member Associations
FIFA, CONCACAF, San José, Costa Rica
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![A woman in a black suit holding a microphone and speaking at a conference, with a large sports-themed poster in the background featuring female soccer players.]()
2012 - FIFA Marketing Seminar
Women’s Football Development, Costa Rica
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![A woman with brown hair, wearing a dark blue suit, speaking into a microphone at a conference. Behind her, there is a blue banner with logos and text about a FIFA Women's Football Regional Coaching Workshop held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 19 to 29, 2012.]()
2012 - Keynote: FIFA Women’s Football Regional Coaching Workshop
Legacy Programme, FIFA U-17 WWC 2012, Baku, Azerbaijan
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![A woman with reddish brown hair speaking at a podium, gesturing with her hands, dressed in a business suit and white shirt, with flags and banners in the background.]()
2009 - Keynote: FIFA Marketing Development Seminar
Legacy of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2009, Trinidad and Tobago
Key Moments
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![A group of ten professionally dressed individuals standing together indoors with wooden panel walls and a framed painting in the background.]()
2021 - IOC & The Adecco Group Partnership Announcement
IOC Headquarters, Lausanne
Participating in a milestone meeting announcing the IOC–Adecco collaboration to help elite athletes prepare for employment and successfully navigate their transition beyond competitive sport.
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![Logo of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights featuring concentric circles and text]()
2025 – Appointed Board Director & Trustee
Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Geneva
Appointed as an independent Board Director and UK Trustee, contributing to the Centre’s governance and its global mission to advance respect for human rights across sport.
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![A purple background with a white abstract wave design and the text 'LHH Sports Solutions' in white.]()
2021 - Launch of The Adecco Group / LHH Sports Solutions
LHH HQ, New York
A business unit: bringing together expertise in sport, careers and talent development to help athletes prepare for life beyond competition and support sports organisations in developing their people.
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![Four professionally dressed individuals standing together indoors with large window in the background and Olympic rings in the distance. From left to right: woman with dark hair, man with glasses and gray hair, man with gray hair and orange tie, woman with short dark hair.]()
2019 - Athlete365 Career+ Partnership Renewal
IOC Headquarters, Lausanne
Meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach to discuss the renewal and future direction of the IOC–Adecco Group partnership supporting athletes through education, employment and career transition.
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![A diverse group of professionals in a business meeting, sitting around a conference table with reports, notebooks, water bottles, and coffee cups, in a well-lit modern office.]()
2016 - FIFA & UN Women Partnership Development
FIFA Headquarters, Zürich
Meeting with UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to explore a formal partnership advancing gender equality, women’s leadership and access to football worldwide.
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![Five professionals sitting around a conference table in a meeting room, with a presentation slide explaining FIFA reforms projected on the wall behind them, and a large window showing an outdoor scene.]()
2016 - Exploring the Ballon d’Or Legacy
Strategic Meeting · FIFA Representative · Women’s Football
Exploring how the heritage and international profile of the Ballon d’Or could support greater recognition, visibility and opportunity across the women’s game.
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![Illustration of two children playing soccer on a field, with a background of soft pastel colors and splashes of paint. One girl is running behind a boy, both focused on a soccer ball. The text on the image reads, 'Ensuring the Growth of the Game.']()
2015 – Launch 2015-2019 FIFA Women’s Football Development Programmes
FIFA HQ, Zürich
Following years of development work, this launch marked a significant milestone, with FIFA’s senior leadership approving increased investment reaching USD22 million.
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![Group of women and men smiling and waving at a photo event, with FIFA banners in the background.]()
2015 – Launch of FIFA’s First Female Leadership Development Programme
FIFA and THNK School of Creative Leadership
A defining milestone: recognising that women’s leadership in global football needed dedicated investment and support. More than 60 women graduated. Laying the foundations for future programmes.
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![Group of five individuals standing together indoors with a flag behind them, dressed in formal business attire, smiling and posing for the photo.]()
2012 - Football Diplomacy in Palestine
FIFA, UN, PFA, Ramallah
Participated in a FIFA delegation to Palestine alongside UN representatives, supporting dialogue on football development and access to the game.
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![Group of six people standing behind a podium, with a woman in the center speaking, indoors with chandelier and floral decor.]()
2008 - FIFA Meeting with President Michelle Bachelet
La Moneda Palace, Santiago
Leading discussions on the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, its development legacy and Chile’s potential to host future international women’s football competitions.
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![Cover of a book titled "Pequeña Enciclopedia Olímpica y de la Cultura Física" by Juan A. Martínez de Osaba and Mayrilian Cruz Blanco, featuring runners and athletes in various sports on the cover.]()
2008 – Publication: Pequeña Enciclopedia Olímpica y de la Cultura Física
Olympic Studies · Published Work
Co-authored with Juan A. Martínez de Osaba y Goenaga, the book brings together essential concepts, organisations and historical figures from physical culture and the Olympic Movement.
Featured Content
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![Conference room with chairs, microphones, and documents, and a presentation screen. Overlaid text reads: 'Centre for Sport and Human Rights appoints new board of directors.']()
2025 - Announcement: CSHR Board of Directors
Centre for Sport and Human Rights, Board Appointment
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![Two people are sitting on a stage with a blue background and the words 'Global Sports Week Paris' in large letters. The woman on the left is speaking into a microphone, gesturing with her right hand, and wearing a light blazer, white shirt, and white pants. The man on the right, bald with a beard, is wearing a black suit, holding a pen and a notepad, and looking at the woman. There are some audience members' silhouettes in the foreground.]()
2025 - Profile: Leading UEFA Club Competition Partnerships
CIES FIFA Master, Alumni Profile
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![Three women sitting at a white table in a modern office with large windows, engaging in a discussion. One woman is speaking and gesturing with her hand, while others are listening and taking notes.]()
2022 - Featured Article: The Power of Visible Role Models
Employer News, Research and Commentary
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![Female athletes competing in a track race, with one runner in the foreground wearing a pink top and blue shorts, and others behind her, on an outdoor stadium track.]()
2021 - A Win-at-All-Costs Mindset Means Olympians Miss Out
The Irish Times / Financial Times, Expert Commentary
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![Logo for HLH Sports Solutions with purple and white color scheme, featuring a stylized hurdle graphic and diagonal lines in the background.]()
2021 - Press Release: Launch of The Adecco Group/LHH Sports Business
LHH - Global Programme Launch, New York
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![A diverse group of women posing together indoors at a professional event or conference. Some are standing, others kneeling in front. They are smiling and dressed in casual and business casual attire, with a presentation screen and banners in the background.]()
2020 - Announcement: CSHR & The Adecco Group Partnership
The Adecco Group Joins the CSHR Advisory Council
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![A woman with short brown hair wearing a red blazer and a woman with gray hair wearing a dark suit and tie, standing closely together at an event.]()
2016 - Could a Woman Fix Football’s World Governing Body?
CNN - International Interview
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![Women Program]()
2016 – Launch of FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Legacy Programmes – Papua New Guinea
FIFA/OCF & Papua New Guinea Football Association, Papua New Guinea
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![FIFA Oceania]()
2016 – Shaping the Future of Women’s Football in Oceania
FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation, Cook Islands
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![Group of women and girls holding red flags and banners at a FIFA event on a soccer field with a large FIFA sign and a lighthouse in the background.]()
2015 - New Highs for FIFA’s Live Your Goals
FIFA Global Campaign & Participation Programme
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![Young girl kicking a soccer ball during practice, with several other girls waiting in line behind her on a grassy field.]()
2015 - Women’s Football Development on the Rise
FIFA - Women’s Football Global Programme Review
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![Women'sWorldCup Brasil]()
2015 - Brazil Launches Women’s Football Strategy
FIFA Development News
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![FIFA Group of Women]()
2015 - Launch: FIFA Women’s Leadership Programme
FIFA Programme News
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![Women coach Football]()
2015 - Announcement: FIFA Scholarships for Female Coaches
FIFA Programmes News
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![FIFA WomensWorldCup2015]()
2015 - FIFA WWC Trophy Tour Canada 2015
FIFA News on Trophy Tour Success
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![Group of six individuals, five men and one woman, standing behind a display of FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 trophies and soccer balls, at an event promoting the tournament in Madrid.]()
2014 - Official Launch - FIFA WWC Canada 2015 Live Your Goals Trophy Tour
Weekly magazine LYG article
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![LYG Girls Football Canada]()
2015 – Live Your Goals Festivals: Building a World Cup Legacy
FIFA and Canadian Soccer Association, Canada
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![Women’s soccer team celebrating on the field during a match, wearing blue uniforms with Japanese flags, with text overlay for a 2014 survey and FIFA branding.]()
2014 - First-Ever FIFA Women’s Football Survey
FIFA Women’s Football Survey
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![Group of Wowen and girls Irish FA]()
2014 – Launch of the Irish FA Girls’ and Women’s Football Plan
Irish FA, Northern Ireland — Endorsed by FIFA
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![LYG Campaign Girls]()
2014 - New Women’s Football Programmes, FIFA Doubles Funding
FIFA Announcement
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![Oceania Women's Football Group]()
2013 - FIFA–OFC Women’s Football Development Seminar
FIFA & OFC
