TEAM

Roger Gracie is a martial artist and a former professional Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor. Roger is the grandson of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie Sr. and the son of Reila Gracie and the legendary Mauricio Gomes.

Roger is one of jiu-jitsu’s most decorated and accomplished athletes and considered by many as the greatest competitor of all time in jiu-jitsu history.

A member of both IBJJF Hall of Fame and ADCC Hall of Fame, Roger won 10 IBJJF world championship titles across multiple weight classes, every year from 2004 to 2010, becoming the first competitor to win the open weight division 3 times.

He is also a two-time European Champion, and a Pan Champion. Gracie is a 3x ADCC World Champion, the only athlete to win gold in both his weight class and the open weight division by submitting all his opponents.

Vartan Sarkissian is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Advanced Tomorrow (ATOM) Institute, a non profit organization assembling a “Healthcare Ecosystem” composed of leaders and decision makers from politics, business, finance, academia and the arts. In partnership with the National University of Singapore, ATOM and its invitation-only forums and program, help unearth and resolve inefficiencies in healthcare through innovation in technology, policy, funding, media and research.

Vartan has been the Founder of two cybersecurity software companies, both with successful exits. He was the Founding Director of the first International Cybersecurity Policy Initiative with the EastWest Institute of New York. Launched in 2009, the initiative brought together 41 countries and 300 organizations (such as Dell, Microsoft, Facebook, Vodafone, Huawei, Reliance and others) to establish an international cybersecurity policy framework and diplomatic relations for the first time. The program culminated into three Worldwide Cybersecurity Summits in Dallas, London, and New  Delhi.

Vartan is an investor in early-stage healthcare start-ups, a former Senior Advisor to EY on Digital Transformation and a former Corporate Finance Executive at MGM Studios. He has a Double Masters (MSc) in Communication from the London School of Economics (LSE) and Annenberg School of University of Southern California (USC).

Scott Newall is the Co-Founder and CEO of Skin In The Game, an investment group backed by athletes and sports industry legends. The group includes exited founders, finance veterans and pro athletes across the NFL, NBA, LIV Golf and more. Notable members of the group include Joe Foster, the Co-Founder of Reebok. Skin In The Game invests in early and growth stage startups shaping the future of sports and health.

Scott’s background is in startups, corporate venture and strategy consulting. In recent years, Scott has advised a variety of funds, accelerators and family offices on strategy and early stage investment. Previously a Partner at Startupbootcamp and Founding Partner of SBC’s OnAfrica Syndicate. Scott is a FCA Approved Person and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment.

Now as CEO at Skin In The Game, Scott identifies and secures capital for category-defining startups across sports, health and human performance. Scott is a Board Advisor and Board Observer to a number of companies, providing hands-on support, advice and guidance.

Thijs Koolen is an operations contributor to Obsidian, supporting the organisation’s development across events, community initiatives, and overall execution.

He is also part of the Advanced Tomorrow (ATOM) ecosystem, where he contributes to the delivery of international forums bringing together leaders from healthcare, policy, investment, and technology. His work spans stakeholder engagement, operational logistics, and the management of internal systems to support high-level event execution.

Thijs has been involved in the organisation of Obsidian events, including guest speaker sessions at Roger Gracie Academy London and fundraising initiatives, overseeing coordination, outreach, and on-the-ground delivery.

Alongside his operational work, Thijs is building within the grappling space with a focus on community and long-term industry development. As an active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and blue belt under Roger Gracie, he brings a practical, athlete-led perspective to Obsidian’s mission of advancing mental health through martial arts.