EFDN Management Board

The EFDN Board meets every 3 months to provide strategic direction to the organisation, as well as for considering and making decisions on those recommendations put forward by the executive management team and members. EFDN Board members are appointed for a fixed term of four years and may be reappointed thereafter as determined by EFDN member clubs. EFDN includes other individuals of relevant expertise and experience, who advise and make recommendations as appropriate.

Chair

Ton Strooband is currently the Supporters and CSR Manager of Feyenoord Rotterdam. He, along with the Supporters and CSR Department, is engaged in realising and strenghtening the bond with the people in (supporters) and around (residents of Rotterdam) the club, based on the social ambitions of the club:

Open Club, Open Stadium; Healthy, sporty and responsible lifestyle. Feyenoord has realised these ambitions by developing numerous projects such as ”Feyenoord Jobscorer”, ”Feyenoord Fancoach” and “Feyenoord Street League”. To make these projects and activities partly possible, the Feyenoord Foundation was created, which Ton is also Head of the foundation. The Feyenoord Foundation raises funds, supervises the proper spending and ensures a transparent administration. In addition, Ton has been involved with EFDN since its formation and has been appointed as the Chairman of EFDN since 2014.

Secretary

Wim Beelaert is currently the General Coordinator of the KAA Gent Foundation. Wim is responsible for managing the operational activities of the KAA Gent Foundation, including business planning, financial planning, operational planning and execution. He is also in charge of the international cooperation and communication of the organisation. Wim was influential in the creation of many innovative CSR initiatives, making the KAA Gent Foundation one of the most respected CSR organisation in Belgian professional football. One of the initiatives include making the Ghelamco Arena an open stadium. The publicly accessible spaces in the football compartment of the stadium can be used for non-profit and social projects by third parties for a total of 15 days every year. Along with Ton, Wim has also been involving with EFDN since the beginning and had previously been the Treasurer of EFDN, before working as the Secretary since 2018.

Board members

Yolanda Antin has been part of the Fundació Barça team since 2009 and is currently Coordinator of Partnerships and Collaborations having previously been a Project Manager. With more than 20 years of experience, Yolanda formerly worked at the Research Centre for International Health of Barcelona (CRESIB) at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona after 4 years working at Doctors Without Borders Spain. Yolanda is also the tutor of the internship plans for the students of the different disciplines and universities that do their internships at the Barça Foundation. She holds a BA in Philology, History and Social Policy of the Middle East from the University of Barcelona (Spain), an MA in Philosophy, Religion and Social Policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel) and has also obtained a Postgraduate in Publishing of Scientific Texts by the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona (Spain). Yolanda is also trained in Project Management and Human Resources.

Inna Khmyzova joined the EFDN Management board on 27 September 2023. With an illustrious career spanning 18 years at FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Inna brings a wealth of experience and expertise in various facets of FSR in football management to EFDN. Inna Khmyzova has been part of FC Shakhtar since 2005. She led the marketing department of FC Shakhtar for more than 10 years. Inna was appointed as Director of Shakhtar Social Foundation in January 2019. Inna develops and maintains social activities in various fields of action like health, gender equality, social inclusion, education, and charity. She promotes the development of grassroots football in Ukraine, making an impact to change lives of kids and the community itself. Shakhtar Social, with support from EFDN, organised the European Football Powers Up Ukraine campaign that made it possible to raise funds and purchase more than 60 power generators for Ukrainians.

Tom Hutton operates in the realm of community development and social impact, currently serving as the Head of Foundation 92 (F92), the official charity partner of Salford City FC. His dedication to improving lives within the Salford and Greater Manchester communities has earned him notable recognition, including the Rising Star/Emerging Talent Award at the This is Manchester Awards and the Start Up/Entrepreneurial Initiative of the Year Award at the Manchester Young Talent Awards.

Since joining Foundation 92 in April 2020, Tom has significantly expanded the charity’s reach and impact. His early efforts focused on supporting primary school children and individuals at risk of homelessness, and he has since spearheaded initiatives that assist a diverse demographic, from young children to seniors. Under his leadership, F92 has developed a range of programs addressing mental and physical wellbeing, education, employability skills, and support for those with disabilities or additional needs.

Bálint Máté is the International Project Manager of Ferencvárosi TC, the most popular multi-sport club in Hungary. Bálint is the key contact person of the club in the international club competitions (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League).  In addition, he is also the local coordinator of the club’s international projects, such as Sport & Support from 2015-16 and Active Fans from 2018 onward. Besides coordinating the club’s CSR activities and some of its community events, Bálint is responsible for strengthening the club’s international relationships and its presence in international organisations.

Brian McLaughlin is currently the Chief Executive of Greenock Morton in the Community. Throughout his 9-year management career, working within the professional game and CSR/ charitable field of Inverclyde (Scotland’s most deprived town), Brian has developed MitC from a small team of only two members of staff, to a reputable and self-sustaining charity that employs 12 full and part-time employees. Besides being CEO, Brian has also worked closely with foundation’s associated football club, Greenock Morton to support the transition to community ownership.

Meinolf Sprink is Since July 2015 Head of Fans and Social Engagement and Board Member at German side Bayer 04 Leverkusen and serving also on the Board of EFDN. Previously, he was working at Bayer 04 Leverkusen as Head of Communications/Marketing and Head of Communications/Media.