IFAF Committees - International Federation of American Football

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IFAF Committees

IFAF Committees

IFAF's committees play a vital role in shaping the governance, development, and integrity of the sport at the global level.

Comprising experts, stakeholders, and athlete representatives, these committees provide strategic guidance, develop policies and regulations, oversee key operational areas, and ensure that the federation’s activities uphold the highest standards of fairness, safety, excellence, and ethical practice.

Through collaboration and evidence-based decision-making, the committees support sustainable growth, protect athlete welfare, and strengthen the global football community.

All relevant IFAF documentation can be found in the IFAF Library under the Committees section.

IFAF Athlete Committee

The IFAF Athlete Committee represents the voice, interests, and welfare of athletes at the heart of the game. Committed to fairness, safety, and opportunity, the Committee works to ensure that athlete perspectives inform decision-making, promote athlete rights and well-being, and strengthen the integrity, inclusivity, and sustainability of football worldwide

Diana Flores

Chair

Member since 2022

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 sits on the IFAF Board.

Term of office:

2022 - 2026

IFAF Health and Integrity Unit

The IFAF Health and Integrity Unit Is a body at arms-length from the IFAF which oversees the IFAF Health and Medical Committee but also carries out investigatory and judicial functions pursuant to the IFAF Integrity Rules and the IFAF Disciplinary and Dispute Resolution Rules. The “IFAF Integrity Rules” include but are not limited to: The Integrity Code The Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions The Safeguarding Regulations The Conflict of Interest Regulations The In Competition Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Rules The IFAF Health and Integrity Unit is an independent body constituted to ensure the sport of American football is administered with integrity in a democratic, professional, ethical and transparent way and that people participate in competitions that are fair and free from any form of unethical behaviour and that its athletes and all support personnel are competing in a healthy, medically and ethically safe and clean environment.

Janie Soubliere

Lead Officer

Member since 2025

Biography:

Janie is an Attorney-at-Law and chartered Arbitrator who has been working in sporting integrity since 2002. As the Principle of Soublière Sport Law, she actively acts as a consultant in integrity matters for numerous international sport federations and as an investigator in national and international integrity related complaints. She is a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Arbitrator and an International Tennis Integrity Agency Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer.

Term of office:

2025-2029

IFAF Medical Committee

The IFAF Medical Committee serves as a vital advisory body dedicated to safeguarding athlete health, promoting medical excellence, and advancing evidence-based practices across international sport. By bringing together leading medical experts, researchers, and practitioners, the Committee develops policies, supports education, and guides innovation to ensure the highest standards of care, injury prevention, and ethical medical governance for the game worldwide.

Dr. David Patterson

Chair

Biography:

Doctor Nolte served as Team Doctor for the German Olympic team in Athens 2004, London 2012 and Rio 2016

Dr. Joseph Giaimo

Biography:

Dr. Joseph A. Giaimo is board certified as a Master Fellow in Pulmonary, Internal and Sleep medicine. He has been in solo private practice for more than 35 years. During that time, Dr. Giaimo
served in the US Naval Reserves. He was deployed to Italy, Jacksonville and San Diego and served with Mobile Naval Fleet hospital and board various ships. He recently served as President of the American Osteopathic Association
representing more than 200K physicians
globally.

Dr. James Lally

Biography:

Doctor Lally serves as team physician for the USA Shooting Team and is its Immediate Past President of the Board and is Chairman of the Medical Committee of the International Shooting Sports Federation as well as a member of the International Olympic Medical Commission.

Cathy Arnot

Biography:

Cathy Arnott is a member of the Department of Exercise Science, University of South Carolina.
Doctor Arnot has supported the USA Shooting team through World Cups, CAT games, national matches, Pan American competitions, and two Olympics Games – London in 2012 and Tokyo 2020. She is also part of the ISSF Medical Committee.

Professor Sinead Harney

Biography:

Professor Harney graduated from UCG in 1994 and did her specialist training in Rheumatology and General Medicine in Dublin. She completed her final training in Oxford in 2005 and was awarded a DPhil by thesis titled “Major Histocompatibility Genetics of Rheumatoid Arthritis”. Professor Harney joined the rheumatology team in CUH in 2005 as a rheumatology consultant. She completed a Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine in UCC in 2007. Her research interests include the Genetics of inflammatory arthritis and occult cardiovascular disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis. She is a board member of the TUE committee of the Irish Sports Council.

Dr. Zakia Bartagi

Biography:

Dr. Bartagi is the Director of the Tunisian National Anti-Doping Agency and has many years of experience in sports medicine and anti-doping. Notably, she served on numerous medical commissions across different sports, including multiple World Championships. She also works with the ITA TUE Committee.

IFAF Nominations Committee

The IFAF Election Nominations Committee is responsible for ensuring a fair, transparent, and merit-based process for the nomination and selection of candidates for leadership roles within the federation. It oversees eligibility criteria, reviews and validates nominations, promotes diversity and integrity in governance, and upholds ethical standards throughout the election process. By safeguarding impartiality and accountability, the Committee helps maintain trust in the federation’s leadership and democratic structures.

Jason Robinson

Chair

Member since 2024

Biography:

Jason Robinson, BHK, CP, joined Sport Law in 2015, after eighteen years working in professional and amateur sport. He specializes in event and travel risk management, sponsorship, and meeting procedures, as well as offering strategic services in planning, governance and member engagement. Jason is a Certified Parliamentarian with the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

Term of office:

2024 - 2028

Marie Jamet

Member since 2024

Biography:

A lawyer since 2019, Marie specialises in sports law and social and solidarity economy law.
Marie joined the Earvin and Lew team in 2020, after two years with a law firm specializing in sports law in Marseille. She is mainly involved in sports law, litigation, association law, and endowment funds.

Term of office:

2024 - 2028

Neal Lachmany

Member since 2024

Biography:

Co-founder of the law firm Earvin and Lew, Neal’s practice focuses on corporate law issues for the benefit of the sports, media, communication, and entertainment industries. He also has the status of sports attorney and real estate transaction attorney.

Term of office:

2024 - 2028

IFAF Statutes Committee

The IFAF Statutes Committee is responsible for overseeing the development, review, and interpretation of the federation’s Statutes. It ensures that the organisation’s legal and regulatory documents remain clear, compliant, and aligned with local law, international standards, best practice, and the federation’s strategic objectives. By strengthening transparency, accountability, and good governance, the Committee supports the effective and sustainable operation of the federation worldwide. The IFAF Board Lead for the Committee is Eric Mayes, supported by Javier L'Episocpo.

Neal Lachmany

Chair

Member since 2022

Biography:

Term of office:

2022-2026

Marie Jamet

Member since 2022

Biography:

Term of office:

2022-2026

Claude Ramoni

Member since 2026

Biography:

Claude Ramoni is a founding partner of Libra Law since 2009. He is a registered attorney-at-law at the Bar of Lausanne (Canton of Vaud, Switzerland), specialising in counselling and representing clients in the fields of sport and business law, with twenty years of experience.

Term of office:

2026

Dagh Schwartz-Kristensen

Member since 2026

Term of office:

2026

IFAF GEDI Committee

The IFAF Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee works to ensure that sport within the federation is fair, accessible, and representative of all people. It promotes equal opportunities regardless of gender, background, ability, or identity, advises on inclusive policies and governance, and supports initiatives that break down barriers to participation, leadership, and success. By championing respectful, safe, and equitable environments, the Committee helps strengthen the integrity, social impact, and global reach of the sport.

Phoebe Schecter

Chair

Biography:

Phoebe Schecter is a leading figure in American football, renowned for her impact as a player, coach, advocate, and analyst. With experience in both flag and tackle football, she has competed at the highest levels and demonstrated exceptional passion and resilience.

Schecter made history as the first British female coach in the NFL, serving as a season-long coaching intern with the Buffalo Bills. Beyond coaching, she is a strong advocate for equity and inclusion, serving as Chair of the EDI Committee for both the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).

As an NFL Global Flag Ambassador, she promotes the growth of flag football worldwide, helping expand access to the sport. She is also a respected analyst for Sky Sports and ESPN, known for her insightful commentary. Through her multifaceted career, Schecter continues to inspire and shape the future of American football.

Term of office:

2023 - 2028

IFAF Entourage Committee

The IFAF Entourage Committee focuses on the people who support athletes—such as coaches, agents, medical staff, family members, and other support personnel—and ensures their influence on athletes and sport is ethical, responsible, and aligned with athlete welfare.

Nausicaa Dell ‘Orto

Chair

IFAF Rules Committee - Flag Football

The IFAF Rules Committee is responsible for developing, maintaining, and interpreting the game rules that govern the sport of Flag Football at the international level. The Committee is supported by IFAF Board Member Eric Mayes and IFAF Sport Manager Lars Carlsen.

Sebastian Sudholt

Chair

Member since 2025

Biography:

Bio

Term of office:

2025 - 2029

Scott Woloshin

Member since 2025

Biography:

Scott Woloshin, the Manager of Officiating Development with Football Canada since 2021, brings extensive experience to the international stage. A member of the Canadian Flag Rules Committee since 2019, he has been instrumental in developing and evolving the Canadian flag football rulebook. With a deep knowledge of the game, honed by officiating large events like the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic, countless Canadian National Championships, and two international tournaments (the 2018 World Championships and 2025 Continentals, both in Panama), he is well prepared to contribute to the international rulebook.

Term of office:

2025 - 2029

Paul Brownd

Member since 2025

Term of office:

2025 - 2029

Magnus Lauesgaard

Member since 2025

Biography:

Magnus has been an active official on all levels of flag football since 2003. He was work to develop and maintain national and international rules since 2005. He has been supervising officials at major IFAF tournaments since 2012.

Magnus has a Masters degree from the University of Copenhagen in History and Law. He works in public administration. He is a proud father of a son and a daughter.

Term of office:

2025 - 2029

Allan Kotliar

Rules Editor

Member since 2025

Biography:

Allan played, coached, and officiated both tackle and flag football in Argentina from 2005 to 2015, beginning his officiating career in 2005.

He currently serves as the rules contact for the Argentine federation.
Since 2016 and has been officiating and coaching tackle and flag football in Mexico.

He had the privilege to officiate men's gold medal games at The World Games 2022 in Alabama, United States, and the Flag Football World Championship in Lahti, Finland.

Additionally, he has served as the Lead ITO for the IFAF Americas Continental Championships in the United States in 2023 and Panama in 2025.

Term of office:

2025 - 2029

Desiree Abrams

Rules Editor

Member since 2025

Biography:

A native of Washingtonian, DC, USA, Desiree serves as a high school tackle and flag football official with the Eastern Board of Officials (EBO), collegiate tackle official the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and a collegiate flag official in the Sun Conference. She is a NFL Replay Assistant, serves as Head of Officiating for the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC), and is the founder of the National Women's Football Officials Association (NWFOA), an organization charged with the betterment of women's football through exceptional officiating.

She has officiated flag football at its highest level in the United States ( 2025 NAIA Women's Collegiate Flag Championships and the NFL Pro Bowl Games) and internationally with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) as a crew chief for the 2022 Women's World (tackle) Championships in Finland, the 2024 IFAF World Flag Championships in Finland, and the World Games in Birmingham, AL and Chengdu, China.

Desiree is a Global Flag Football Ambassador and serves on several flag football review boards including serving as the Chair of USA Football's Flag Football Competition Committee (FFCC), with the goal of unifying flag styles and rulesets across the country.

Term of office:

2025 - 2029

IFAF Rules Committee - Tackle Football

The IFAF Rules Committee is responsible for developing, maintaining, and interpreting the game rules that govern the sport of Tackle Football at the international level.

Professor Jim Briggs

Chair

Biography:

Bio

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