Steve Leighton

 

Executive Director • Humanitarian Strategist • Football for Peace Ambassador • Founder of Gol Iluminado

 

Steve Leighton is an internationally respected leader in humanitarian sports development, youth engagement, and peace-building initiatives. As the founder of Gol Iluminado and a global ambassador for Football for Peace, Steve has dedicated his career to harnessing the unifying power of football to uplift communities, empower young people, and inspire transformative social change across the world.

 

A passionate advocate for sport as a universal language, Steve has worked extensively in regions affected by poverty, conflict, and limited access to youth resources. Through Gol Iluminado, he has spearheaded football-based educational programmes, community development projects, mentoring systems, and international outreach initiatives that combine athletic discipline with values of respect, teamwork, and peaceful coexistence.

 

As a leading voice within Football for Peace, Steve collaborates with former professional players, global diplomats, cultural leaders, and philanthropic partners to build sustainable frameworks that promote peace, cultural harmony, and youth opportunity. His role includes designing football-driven social-impact programmes, facilitating international partnerships, and directing initiatives that align with global development goals and UN-supported youth agendas.

 

Steve is recognised not only for his strategic leadership but for his hands-on humanitarian approach. His work bridges continents and cultures, empowering thousands of young people through football clinics, life-skills training, leadership workshops, and cross-community tournaments that promote unity over division.

 

A mentor, organiser, and global connector, Steve Leighton continues to expand Gol Iluminado’s international footprint while contributing to the broader mission of Goodwill and Peace through Sport. His dedication ensures that football remains more than a game—it becomes a catalyst for hope, resilience, and a brighter future for communities worldwide.