The Board - International Federation of American Football

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The Board

IFAF GOVERNANCE

IFAF BOARD

The IFAF Board governs the organisation, setting strategic direction, overseeing management, ensuring financial health, maintaining legal and ethical compliance, and representing member interests, all while focusing on IFAF's long-term success.

The majority of IFAF's Board is elected by the IFAF Members at Congress. The Athlete Committee elects its representation and Members are able to elect their own Continental Board Member. IFAF's Board has representation from the National Football League (NFL), IFAF's global development partner, and the capacity for 2 Non-Executive Board Members.

Board Members have specific portfolios of activity to oversee, from competitions and finance through to development and governance.

Members of the Board serve a 4-year term of office and are able to serve a maximum of 3 terms of office.

Uras Aslan

IFAF Board Member

Member since 2024

Biography:

Uras serves on the board of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and is helping steer the organisation through rapid growth toward Olympic inclusion. With a background in business development and sports administration, he champions agility, innovation and results-driven management. His initiatives include mobilising resources around the Düsseldorf world stage and building a commercial branch to develop sponsor and investor partnerships. Uras is passionate about creating opportunities for athletes and believes in less talk and more action to secure the sport’s future. Based in Vienna, he works across continents to expand the sport’s global footprint. As a senior leader, he draws on years of entrepreneurial experience to build strong partnerships and champion the sport’s Olympic ambitions.

Term of office:

2024 - 2028

Awasum E.M. Jr

IFAF Board Member - Africa

Member since 2022

Term of office:

2022-2026

Diana Flores

IFAF Board Member - Athlete Committee

Member since 2021

Biography:

Diana Flores is the Captain and Quarterback of Mexico’s World Champion National Flag Football team, a global sports ambassador for both the NFL and IFAF, and Chair of the IFAF Athletes’ Committee. A two-time gold medalist at The World Games, she has earned multiple international podium finishes across IFAF World Championships and has represented Mexico’s national team for over 13 years as its starting quarterback and leader.

Diana played an active role in the pathway toward flag football’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games, contributing to the sport’s global growth and visibility. Her impact beyond the field has been recognized internationally, including being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024 and receiving the “Re-Writing the Game” Award from the Women’s Sports Foundation in 2025. She has also spoken on global stages such as the United Nations, advocating for representation, inclusion, and the power of sport in shaping future generations.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication from Tecnológico de Monterrey and a Master’s degree in Innovation for Business Development. As Chair of the Athletes’ Committee, Diana is committed to protecting the athlete voice and strengthening the global structure and governance of flag football.

Term of office:

2021-2026

Javier L'Episcopo

IFAF Board Member - Americas

Member since 2022

Biography:

Javier L’Episcopo is a sports executive with over 20 years international experience in the governance, development, and organization of American Football and Flag Football. He holds a Master’s degree in Sport Management, which underpins his strategic and operational approach to sports administration.

He currently serves as a Continental Director for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), where he plays a key role in supporting National Federations, strengthening institutional structures, and coordinating continental and international competitions.

Javier has been actively involved in strategic planning, event management, and regulatory alignment with international standards, including Regional Olympic multi-sport frameworks. His work includes close collaboration with National Olympic Committees, continental associations, and organizing committees for regional and world-level events.

Recognized for his leadership, diplomacy, and organizational expertise, Javier is committed to the sustainable growth of the sport across the Americas, with a strong focus on youth development, flag football expansion, and institutional excellence.

Term of office:

2022-2026

Eric Mayes

IFAF Board Member

Member since 2024

Biography:

Eric Mayes was elected to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Executive Board at the 2024 IFAF Congress in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Professionally, Mayes serves as Managing Director of High Performance and National Teams at USA Football, the U.S. National Governing Body for American football as recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. In this role, he oversees all U.S. National Team programs across tackle and flag football and leads the implementation of USA Football’s High Performance Plan in preparation for the LA28 Olympic Games. Under his leadership, U.S. flag national teams have earned multiple world and continental titles.

Mayes previously worked at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and holds a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University and a bachelor's in Business Administration from Trinity International University, where he was a football student-athlete. He lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, with his wife, Sequitta, and their two sons.

Term of office:

2024-2028

Russell McConnochie

IFAF Board Member

Member since 2021

Biography:

Historic Term of Office: 2022 - 2024

Term of office:

2024-2028

Jim Mullin

IFAF Board Member - Vice President

Member since 2021

Biography:

Jim Mullin is a Canadian sports administrator, broadcast producer, and journalist serving his second term on the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Board and his first as Vice-President. He is the producer and host of Gridiron Nation on Game+ TV. Mullin served on the Football Canada Board of Directors from 2016 to 2024 and was elected president for six years through 2024. During his tenure, structured governance reform, led the organization’s first strategic plan, strengthened sponsorship revenue, and supported improved performance in international competition. In parallel, he has advised sport leaders on policy, communications, and stakeholder management, drawing on decades of experience in media and event production. As IFAF Vice-President, Mullin has focused on international football collaboration by chairing the Global Tackle Football Task Force.

Known for clear messaging and practical planning, he brings integrity, curiosity, and a steady, collaborative leadership style—bridging governance, broadcast, and history to help shape the sport’s next era for athletes, officials, and fans.

Historic Term of Office: 2021 - 2024

Term of office:

2024-2028

Gregor Murth

IFAF Board Member - Europe

Term of office:

2022-2026

Daryll Nathaniell

IFAF Board Member - Asia

Member since 2022

Term of office:

2022-2026

Fabio Tortosa

IFAF Board Member

Member since 2024

Biography:

Fabio Tortosa has been involved in American football since 1989, progressing from his early experience as a player to senior leadership and governance roles at national and international level. He is a long-standing member of the Italian Federation of American Football (FIDAF), serving on the Federal Council since 2009 and currently acting as President of the Championship and Tournament Organizing Committee. Over the years, Tortosa has represented Italy as Head of Delegation at numerous international competitions across tackle and flag football, for both senior and junior national teams. He has also held key responsibilities as Chief of the Local Organizing Committee and Tournament Director for major European and world championships, as well as serving as Game Observer in international competitions. In December 2024, he was elected Director of Competitions of IFAF.

Term of office:

2024-2028

IFAF Board Gender Distribution

IFAF Board Continents Distribution