An expert in operational services and people logistics, Valeria Sorrentino has built a successful career managing large-scale, high-profile events. She currently serves as head of arrivals and departures for the FIFA World Cup 2026, overseeing logistics for athletes, referees, guests, and invitees across 16 cities and more than 30 airports in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. In this role, she is responsible for the coordination of complex transportation networks and negotiating with government agencies to secure working relationships airports. In addition, she dedicates her time as a board member of the FIFA Women’s Network and the Cultural Centro Brazil USA.
With more than a decade of experience, Ms. Sorrentino has held several key roles in major international events. She served as senior arrivals and departures manager for FIFA from 2019 to 2023 and as director of stakeholder services, arrivals and departures, for the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games from 2018 to 2019. During that time, she also worked as a senior consultant for the Pan American Games Lima 2019.
Ms. Sorrentino’s journey began with her co-founding Women in Film and Television Brazil, where she has promoted leadership opportunities for women across a range of professions. Early in her career, she held roles such as communication and event coordinator at Casa Daros and production director at the International Television Festival. She also contributed to major events, including Rock in Rio on Air Madrid and Green Nation Fest. Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism from Faculdade Da Cidade, earned in 1993, and completed a specialized course with Women in Football.
Reflecting on her path, Ms. Sorrentino has made it a personal mission to promote leadership among women, extending her efforts beyond the world of sports into a wide range of industries. Her passion for empowerment first took root during her time in the film industry through her involvement with Women in Film and Television International. Since then, she has remained committed to supporting women at every stage of their journey, from early career professionals to established leaders.
Standout moments in Ms. Sorrentino’s career include her role in developing the first fully electronic remote check-in system for athletes at the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her dedication to empowering women and advancing her industry has also earned her notable recognition. She was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Miami by Women We Admire, honored as a torchbearer for the Olympic Games in Brazil, and received an award from the Civil Aviation Authority of Brazil for her contributions to the field.
Driven by a passion for her work, Ms. Sorrentino approaches every role not just as a job, but as an opportunity to teach, mentor, and learn from others. She believes in building teams that thrive through collaboration, mutual respect, and continuous growth. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Looking to the future, she plans to focus on teaching individuals in high-pressure roles how to foster greater happiness and compassion within their teams. She envisions expanding this mission beyond her current work through university teaching or by establishing a consultancy dedicated to creating workplace environments focused on well-being, support, and human connection.