Careers in Sport is a new interview series featuring AISTS alumni working across the global sport industry. Over twelve episodes, professionals from different backgrounds, sports, nationalities and career paths will share the decisions, opportunities and challenges that shaped their careers.
Hosted by Denys Kulyk, the series explores the stories behind careers in sport through thoughtful, in-depth interviews. Denys brings 15 years of experience in journalism, content production and sport media operations, including roles at Euronews, UEFA and CAA Eleven.
Each episode focuses on a specific theme. The first episode explores the theme of Trajectory through the career of Kristian D’Amore. From the outside, his career looks like a perfectly planned success. Kristian would probably disagree.
Saying yes, making mistakes, and building a career in sport management: watch the full interview video.
A New Series on the Real Stories Behind Careers in Sport
Behind every international federation, major sporting event and professional club are people who built their careers.
Careers in Sport explores the stories behind those careers: the key decisions, transitions, moments of doubt and leadership challenges that actually shape a career in sport management.
The series features AISTS alumni from different levels of seniority, sports, functional areas and countries. Following Kristian’s episode on Career Trajectory, future episodes will explore themes such as transition, persistence and leadership with renowned guests from the sport industry.
Who is Kristian D’Amore?
Our first guest is Kristian D’Amore. He completed his Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Sport Management and Technology at AISTS in 2020. After completing his studies, he joined TEAM Marketing AG as a Digital Manager, working for more than five years on one of the most prestigious football competitions in the world.
In January 2026, at just 28, he became Head of Marketing at the International Skating Union (ISU).
Did Kristian Always Plan a Career in Sport?
People looking at Kristian’s career today often assume it was planned from the beginning. In a way, they are right.
“Since I was probably a very young teenager, I knew that I wanted to work in sport marketing… my vision was totally laser-focused on this,” he explains.
Having a clear goal shaped many of the decisions he made throughout his studies and early career. It influenced the people he tried to meet, the opportunities he pursued and the risks he was willing to take.
“Being so convinced on the trajectory I wanted to go, I think, helped because I was focused on trying to network with the right people, trying to open the right doors and trying to find the right opportunities.“
That focus helped him move forward, but it also meant being ready when unexpected doors opened.
The Phone Call That Changed Everything
One of those moments came while he was working in professional basketball in Toronto. Kristian received an unexpected call: an opportunity had emerged to move to Italy the following week to work on the organising committee of the Napoli 2019 Summer Universiades.
” I received the call as I was driving to the office. By the time I got to the office, I made my decision. I walked in and I told the CEO of the basketball team I was working for that today was my last day. I quit. And I moved to Napoli.”
A week later, at just 22, he was responsible for service delivery for nearly 2,000 technical officials at an international multi-sport event.
Saying Yes, But Not to Everything
For Kristian, this moment defined a core principle of his career: “I said yes to every opportunity that came my way… if opportunity comes your way, say yes and take the challenge. But you also have to be able to seize the opportunity.“
However, he adds an important nuance: “Say yes to the right opportunities that come your way. Take risks, push yourself outside your comfort zone.“
Why Mentors Matter in a Career in Sport
Alongside opportunity, another factor has consistently made a difference: mentorship.
Indeed, for Kristian, mentorship is essential: “Good mentors, and a good network of people you can trust, that you believe in and that believe in you.“
One of the people who had the greatest influence on Kristian’s career was Trevor Georgie, now President and General Manager of the Saint John Sea Dogs in Canada. Georgie took Kristian under his wing when he was still a teenager.
Finding mentors, however, is not easy. “It’s hard to find good mentors, that’s why they’re called good mentors.”
His advice to students and young professionals is to think about what value they can bring to the relationship, rather than only focusing on what they can receive.
Education, Experience and Networks: What Builds a Career in Sport Management?
Kristian does not rank education, mentorship, and professional experience. Instead, he believes they should work together to build a successful career in sport. “I think you need to invest in all three, in harmony. If you’re not investing in all three, you’re falling behind, or you’re settling for less.”
When discussing AISTS specifically, Kristian is direct: “No doubt, the biggest impact of AISTS was the network, the network and the doors that opened through it. But it’s only as good as you make it. You can hold back and get nothing out of it.”
Luck, Self-Doubt and Mistakes
Asked about the role of luck in his career, Kristian doesn’t deny it, but clarifies: “I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time several times in my life. But ultimately, what I did with that situation is on me. You need to put yourself in the best possible position to get lucky.”
One of the most candid moments of the interview comes when he’s asked about doubt. He admits: “The moments when I’ve doubted myself the most are when I’ve made mistakes, of course.”
Over time, he learned to see mistakes differently. “If you try and fail once and then don’t want to try again, you’re not growing, you stop growing.”
Today, as a leader, he encourages experimentation and accepts that mistakes are part of learning.
Can You Lead a Sport You Don’t Know?
Before joining the International Skating Union, Kristian had almost no professional experience in skating. His main memories of the sport came from watching the Olympic Games and spending Friday evenings at outdoor skating rinks as a teenager in Canada.
For Kristian, you can lead a sport you don’t know, but only if you are willing to learn: “You need to become a fan of your sport to be able to communicate with fans of your sport.”
He believes credibility is built less through expertise and more through listening: “You need to be able to listen just as much as you talk.”
The Cost of Building a Career in Sport
Building an international career also means making sacrifices. For Kristian, the biggest one has been: “Distance from my family, from my friends. Probably the biggest sacrifices.”
And if he could say one thing to his 12-year-old self, before any of it started? “Keep telling your mother how much you love her.”
Why Sport?
The last question of the interview is also the simplest. Why sport? Kristian remembers a quote that appeared on the screensaver of one of his first phones: “Sport can unite the world in a way nothing else can.”
“That’s what’s so beautiful about sport. Sport can unite people, unite communities, unite the world in a way that I think nothing else can.”
Watch the Full Interview
To discover Kristian’s full story, including his early days as a volunteer and what he’s currently building at the ISU, watch the complete interview here.
The Careers in Sport series with eleven more conversations exploring the many paths to work in the sport industry. Stay tuned!
