Our People

Karl Dakin is a seasoned executive and thought leader with more than four decades of experience

guiding entrepreneurial ventures, scaling innovative organizations, and designing capital acquisition

strategies across sectors. 

He brings a unique blend of legal, financial, and operational expertise that makes him particularly well-suited for Board leadership within mission-driven, high-growth organizations, including those in the sports industry.

As Founder of Dakin Capital, Mr. Dakin has served as a strategic advisor and capital coach to

hundreds of startups, nonprofits, and community ventures, focusing on sustainable business models

and alternative funding solutions.

His background includes executive roles as COO of Splish Naturals and director for businesses and charitable organizations spanning healthcare, hospitality, mining, agriculture, and education. 

His leadership style is collaborative and impact-focused, with a track record of building strong stakeholder networks and advancing organizational goals through innovation and strategic funding.

Mr. Dakin is nationally recognized for his work in crowdfunding, economic development, and

community capital. He has served as Principal Investigator for U.S. Department of Commerce

research on small business commercialization and continues to pioneer new approaches to funding

underserved sectors, including youth sports and workforce housing. He also leads initiatives to

integrate artificial intelligence into entrepreneurship education through his proprietary AI avatar, CAP, and other digital tools that extend knowledge and support business growth.

In addition to his business leadership, Mr. Dakin is a dedicated educator. As an Adjunct Faculty

member at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business, he created and teaches courses on international finance and capital strategy. 

He regularly publishes research, educational content, and funding insights, including the Instant Funding newsletter and Successful Funding live-streamed show.

With a Juris Doctor and a BBA from Washburn University, and as a licensed attorney in Colorado

since 1980, Mr. Dakin combines technical acumen with practical experience. 

His current affiliations include the Council of Development Finance Agencies.

Mark Winokur is a seasoned sports executive and consultant with over three decades of experience in media, sponsorship, and team operations across North America. As a strategic advisor to Citizens Sports, Mark specializes in sports media rights, commercial strategy, and sponsorship development, bringing a deep understanding of the evolving intersection between content, fan engagement, and revenue growth.

Mark’s distinguished career includes his tenure as COO and General Manager of the Toronto Arrows RFC, where he co-founded and led Canada’s only Major League Rugby franchise from inception to playoff success. In that role, he recruited talent, built the commercial operations from the ground up, and served on the MLR Board of Governors as Chair of the Broadcast Committee (2019–2021). His leadership in media negotiations and sponsorship activation helped secure key deals, including title partnerships with Honda and Coolbet.

Previously, Mark served as VP of Advertising Sales, North America for Anthem Sports & Entertainment, where he led multi-market sales teams and scaled advertising revenue from $1.2 million to $4.3 million. Earlier roles with TSN, Telemedia, and The Score saw him break new ground in Canadian sports broadcasting, including signing TSN’s first $1 million advertising deal.

Mark continues to shape the future of professional sports through innovative league development, fan-focused media platforms, and data-driven sponsorship strategies.

He holds a BA in English and Communications from the University of Guelph and is widely respected for his contributions to rugby, including multiple coaching honors, national titles, and recognition as Rugby Canada’s Volunteer of the Year 2014.

Mark Hutchinson, known across the global lottery industry as “Hutch,” is the Founder and Managing Member of Gaming Solutions International LLC, a Colorado-based company pioneering the next generation of public games of chance—including raffles and lotteries—with a mission-driven focus on global impact and social good.

With over 33 years of experience in the lottery industry, Hutchinson brings an unmatched depth of knowledge, having played a foundational role in the launch of Lotto America in the 1980s, the precursor to what became the internationally renowned Powerball. 

His work has taken him around the world, where he has contributed to the design, development, and successful management of regional and state lottery systems in diverse markets.

Now based in Colorado, Hutchinson launched Gaming Solutions International in 2024 to reimagine gaming as a force for positive change.

Under his leadership, GSI operates both as a retailer of public games—earning commissions through sales—and as a creator and manager of original gaming formats. 

In these proprietary games, 50% of proceeds are directed to prizes, and 25% are earmarked for impactful social causes, including youth sports development, a core commitment of the company.

Hutchinson oversees all major aspects of Gaming Solutions International’s strategy, licensing, and partnerships. His long-standing industry relationships, regulatory expertise, and entrepreneurial drive position GSI to be a global leader in purpose-driven gaming.

Andy Golding brings over three decades of expertise at the intersection of sports business, education, and governance to his role. As a distinguished lecturer in Sports Business, Sports Law, and Governance at UCFB—the UK’s premier higher education provider situated at Wembley Stadium—Andy has shaped the next generation of sports leaders through undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programsucfb.ac.uk+3ucfb.ac.uk+3economicsobservatory.com+3.

Throughout his career, Andy has combined academic rigor with real-world impact. For the past 18 years, he has owned and managed an education solutions firm offering face-to-face, online, and blended learning across UK and international universities ucfb.ac.uk. As a recognized quality expert, he has advised more than 30 UK further-education institutions and contributed to numerous Erasmus+ initiatives. His research focuses on professional rugby's growth and sustainability, and he is currently developing a PhD framework on the same topic ucfb.ac.uk+1economicsobservatory.com+1.

Beyond the classroom, Andy demonstrates a deep commitment to sports at every level. He actively participates in rugby as director of rugby at Maidstone Rugby Club following a storied playing and coaching history. He also serves as a trustee of the Kent Cricket Youth Trust and as a non-executive director with FC Inter London, aiding the integration of displaced Ukrainian children through football ucfb.ac.uk+1economicsobservatory.com+1.

As a Senior Advisor to Citizens Sports, Andy applies his strategic acumen in governance, media rights, and sponsorship, advising sports organizations on sustainable growth and brand development. His unique blend of educational leadership, sports administration, and legal insight enables him to craft nuanced sponsorship strategies and media partnerships grounded in both theory and practice.

James Fealey is an accomplished business development and account management professional with over 20 years of progressive experience delivering exceptional results across sectors including travel, education, and sports. He currently serves as Director of Business Development – University Travel at Corporate Travel Management (CTM), where he leads efforts to expand and support travel partnerships with higher education institutions across North America.

James is also a Special Advisor for Group Travel, bringing deep expertise in coordinating complex travel logistics for large-scale sporting events, academic programs, and youth engagement initiatives. Known for his customer-centric approach and strategic mindset, James has built a reputation for crafting seamless, customized travel experiences that meet the diverse needs of clients and stakeholders alike.

During his tenure at STA Travel, James increased regional revenue by 325% over five years while managing more than 150 key accounts. His ability to foster strong relationships, align internal and external teams, and deploy creative travel solutions played a critical role in consistently exceeding growth targets. He also managed complex travel packages that included accommodations, transportation, and detailed itineraries for academic and youth travel groups.

Earlier in his career, James served as Associate Director of Admissions for the Institute for Shipboard Education/Semester at Sea, where he implemented successful recruitment and enrollment strategies. As Assistant Director at Club Getaway, he led a team of over 170 staff in delivering exceptional group programming and guest services.

A lifelong rugby player, team captain, and club president, James continues to support sport and community initiatives through his advisory work. His professional background, leadership qualities, and commitment to excellence make him a trusted partner in managing travel solutions that enhance both organizational outcomes and individual experiences.