SOEE Regional Staff

Martha Jo Braycich (American)

Director, Communications and Media Relations
(based in Brussels, Belgium)

Sabine Brecklinghaus (German)

Initiative Manager Schools/Youth Unified Sports & Healthy Athletes (based in Brussels, Belgium)

Sabine Brecklinghaus has been the Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia Manager for Schools/Youth Unified Sports and Healthy Athletes since March 2003. In 2002 Sabine graduated with a Master in Sport Sciences from the German Sport University Cologne. She completed in 2005, an Executive Master in Sport Organization Management (MEMOS) at the University of Lyon 1/France, a postgraduate master studies with support of the International Olympic Committee. Sabine was involved in Special Olympics Germany as a volunteer from 1993 until 2003.

Mariusz Damentko (Polish)

Regional Sports Director
(based in Warsaw, Poland)

Mariusz Damentko has been Regional Sports Director since 2000. A university teacher, he graduated from Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, Department of Rehabilitation in 1977, completed Special Education Postgraduate Studies in 1981 and a Ph. D. from Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw in 1988. Mariusz launched Special Olympics Poland with small group of volunteers in 1985 as the first Special Olympics Program in former soviet countries and assisted in the launch of and training of volunteers in many countries from this part of Europe (i.e. Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Lithuania etc.). Mariusz organized approximately 50 different sports seminars, conferences and educational projects in Europe/Eurasia.

Michel Deurinck (Belgian)

European Union Development Advisor
(based in Brussels, Belgium)

Michel Deurinck is specialized in the management of EU Public Affairs. In this capacity he currently advises Special Olympics on relations with the European Institutions. This includes awareness building, advocacy with EU officials and institutional fundraising. Michel also contributes to high profile PR events designed to raise the profile of the movement with European audiences.

Michel holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Business and Marketing from New York University. He studied in Tokyo where he obtained a diploma in Japanese business management. He also worked at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in its Development Program section.

Nolwen E. Grassin (French)

Manager, Communication and Athlete Leadership
(based in Brussels, Belgium)

Nolwen Grassin is in charge of providing support to National Programs willing to involve Special Olympics athletes in leadership roles (as spokesperson, as committee or board members, as coach assistants etc.). Her function in communication also covers planning and organizing SOEE annual regional conferences, feeding and updating regional databases, developing and maintaining our regional website and serving as a liaison to the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics. Prior to joining Special Olympics, Nolwen worked for the Atlanta Paralympics Organizing Committee (1996). She holds a Master in Communication and Languages from the Institut Supérieur d'Interprétation et de Traduction (ISIT) in Paris, France.

Miroslav Krogulec (Polish)

Senior Manager, Organizational Development and Sports
(based in Warsaw, Poland)

Mirek Krogulec joined the SOEE team in 2001 after working as a Certified National Basketball Coach, Physical Education Teacher and Sports Coordinator for Special Olympics Poland. In the last 6 years, he has worked closely with Special Olympics Programs in Eastern and Central Europe. Additionally, he works in close connection with the SOEE Sports Director on regional sport related issues, including regional seminars, conferences and competitions. With support from the Special Olympics Football Committee, Mirek led the Special Olympics Football Development Project in Europe. Mirek holds a Master Degree from the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw.

Krzysztof Krukowski (Polish)

Director of Organizational Development
(based in Warsaw, Poland)

Mr.Krukowski has worked for Special Olympics for more than 20 years in various positions - as volunteer, Fundraising and Technical Director and as Vice Chairman of Special Olympics Poland. He represented Special Olympics Poland as Head of Delegation to the European Games in Glasgow (1990) and Special Olympics World Games in Minneapolis (1991). He was also Coordinator of Services for Handicapped Persons to the President of the North Region in Poland. Krzysztof graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland.

Marian Murphy (Irish)

Director of Organizational Development
(based in Dublin, Ireland)

Ms. Murphy has been involved in Special Olympics for more than 20 years. A founding member of Special Olympics Ireland, she became chairman 1994/1995. She was part of the International General Rules Advisory Committee in charge of making recommendations on the movement's Revised General Rules. She became Regional Director in Europe/Eurasia the following year. Marian has served as Coach, National Games Director, Board Member and Board Chair of the Special Olympics Ireland National Program. At European level, she has served as Europe/Eurasia Leadership Council Member and Chair.

Dipak Natali (British)

Manager of Marketing and Fundraising - UK Market Specialist
(based in London, Great Britain)

Dipak Natali works to develop awareness and fundraise for Special Olympics activities. With a Degree in International Business and Marketing and over 6 years experience as a fundraiser, Dipak works to develop corporate partnerships and secure funds from a variety of different sources to support our activities in Great Britain and internationally. Dipak joined Special Olympics in the summer of 2006. Prior to this, he was a fundraiser with SCOPE and the Princes Trust before spending time volunteering in Brazil and Cambodia with a number of NGOs.

Maryam Oliaei (Belgian)

Sr. Manager Finance & Grants

Maryam Oliaei joined the SOEE team in Brussels in August 2001, as Finance &.Administration coordinator, then as Finance Manager. She has been Senior Manager Finance & Grants since 2005, dealing with mainly all grants & funds distribution and management i.e.; USAID, US State Department, UEFA, etc. Maryam also handles all SOEE office budget, finance, human resources and administration issues. Prior to Special Olympics she has been working as Office, HR & Resource Manager in companies working in such fields as executive search, high tech, marketing & survey and international law firms in connection with the European Commission. Maryam holds a BA in Economic Sciences and a Degree in French History & Literature.

Mike Smith (British)

Managing Director
(based in Brussels, Belgium)

Mike Smith has been Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia since the opening of the regional office in Brussels, Belgium in 1997. Mike has worked for Special Olympics for more than 15 years in various positions. He has been the worldwide Football Director and Director of Sports Management. He was vice president of operations at the 1997 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Toronto, Canada. Mike is a graduate of Harvard University and the Babson School of Management (MBA).

Kai Troll (German)

Director of Organizational Development and Strategic Marketing
(based in Brussels, Belgium)

Kai Troll is Director of Organizational Development and Strategic Marketing. He joined Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia in 2001. Prior to Special Olympics he held a position as Consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, advising business leaders in the media, entertainment, retail, automotive and public sectors. Kai also worked in different development functions for the international multi-cultural leadership program "Up with People". He is an advisor of several boards of non-for-profits and commercial business ventures. Kai holds a BA in Marketing and an MBA in International Management. He attended executive courses in 'Leadership and Change', 'Social Enterprise' and 'Strategic Negotiations and Competitive Decision making'. He is currently earning a doctoral degree in Economical Sciences.

Christo Velkov (Bulgarian, Belgian)

Director of Organizational Development and Marketing
(based in Brussels, Belgium)

Christo Velkov joined SOEE in 1999. He has been instrumental in growing the movement in South East Europe and is a leading member of the Fund Raising team in the region. Prior to joining Special Olympics, he was Director of Jeunesses Musicales International and a Program Coordinator at the European Foundation Center. He holds a business degree from Institut Supérieur Economique d'Ixelles (Belgium), and an Executive MBA from INSEAD (France and Singapore).