Meet Eva Issa, Sport Group Holding’s Vice President, HR, Legal and Internal Communication

From psychology to law, aviation to automotive, meet Sport Group’s first female management team member.

Eva Issa’s career has charted the corridors of prisons, psychiatric hospitals and renowned law firms. She has successfully navigated a turbulent aviation sector and a male-dominated automotive industry before landing at Sport Group. The board-level professional, with roots in psychology and law, shares her journey, her leadership philosophy and first impressions of Sport Group one month into her role.

You were born and raised in Frankfurt but finished your education in England. What was that like?

Yes, what started as a year abroad in the UK when I was 15 ended up becoming much more than that. I completed my A levels in a boarding school near Shrewsbury and it was one of the best times of my life. I really liked the English education system and I found British people so charming and friendly. I enjoyed it so much that I stayed on for university, studying psychology.

What interested you about psychology?

I am fascinated by how people think and behave. Understanding human emotions, interactions, and the way different cultures communicate really intrigued me. Living in both Germany and the UK, I noticed how people express themselves differently, and that made me even more curious about psychology.

That led you to some interesting places. Please tell us more…

Early in my studies, I gained hands-on experience at a psychiatric hospital, which made me realize that working in that environment wasn’t for me.

The prison sector also fascinated me. I was interested in the psychological and social factors that lead people to crime. I wanted to understand what influences their decisions—whether it’s their upbringing, environment, mental health, or a lack of opportunities. I wanted to better understand people, their motivations, and the potential for change.

Because of this, I also decided to study law which I did in Germany in parallel with my psychology degree. I soon realized that criminal law wasn’t my passion, though I still enjoyed law overall.

During this time I worked for three months for a law firm in South Africa. This was a great experience, the work was interesting, the people were very friendly and exploring the country was amazing.

What was your first full time job?

I started as Legal Counsel at Condor, which was an airline within the Thomas Cook Group. This was an amazing but challenging experience because the company had significant financial instability.

Despite the tough circumstances, I found the company’s culture to be very dynamic and entrepreneurial.

The work environment was intense, with people often staying very late to tackle the challenges we were facing. There was a shared determination among the team to work through the company's issues and turn things around. I remember when we got approval for the government funding – everyone was cheering. It still gives me goosebumps now.

“We all benefit if we can identify with each other and work towards a shared vision.”

What did you learn from this experience?

It taught me a lot about resilience and problem-solving, especially in navigating organizational change and uncertainty. And perhaps most of all, it showed me the value of a company culture. There was an amazing sense of camaraderie within the team, and we often referred to ourselves as "Condorians." This tight-knit group really helped the company push through difficult times.

What came next for you?

After leaving Condor, I joined Linde + Wiemann, an automotive systems manufacturer. The company has operations globally and employs around 2,500 people.

My role within General Legal Counsel expanded to include Global Head of HR and then Board Directorship in Germany and then in Mexico.

How was automotive different from aviation?

The difference was huge. The automotive industry is much more male and has a tougher vibe, with constant pressure on the automotive suppliers to cut margins. The cut-throat nature of the industry certainly impacted company culture.

What was your experience as a female leader in this industry?

I was in the minority. I remember during the COVID period having a Teams leadership call and when I spoke, I had people express surprise that a woman was on the call.

So it was rougher, but I have two older brothers so I know how to handle myself!

What drew you to Sport Group?

The automotive industry is quite ‘narrow’ and I was looking for a more open-minded company that would provide a new challenge. Sport Group provided that global challenge within a field that has a positive impact on society. I like the role Sport Group has within sport and I enjoy working with different people from around the world. I also like manufacturing companies. It is very satisfying to produce a tangible product at the end of the day.

You’ve been with us for just over a month. What are your first impressions?

I have been really enjoying it so far. It's great to be working with people who really love what they're doing and have such a dynamic way of working.

So far, I have visited the teams in Germany and Dalton in the USA. I really enjoyed these trips, seeing the facilities, manufacturing capability and meeting people first-hand.

I am really looking forward to meeting the team in Asia Pacific next.

What’s your leadership philosophy?

My philosophy is that legal should help simplify the business. There’s a perception that legal can be restrictive, but when done right, I believe it is the opposite.

My approach to HR and internal communications is that we all benefit if we can identify with each other and work towards a shared vision. A positive and empowering company culture is perhaps the biggest asset a company can have.

What would you say to other women considering a role in our industry?

I certainly hope we can address the gender balance in our sector. I'd encourage women to have the confidence to work in a manufacturing company like Sport Group because there are so many interesting roles and it is very rewarding. The complexity is a stimulating challenge and although male-dominated companies can seem intimidating, I find working with men to be quite straightforward.

Where will we find you when you’re not at work?

I really like horse riding, swimming and boxing for fitness, but you won’t find me in the ring!

My favorite soccer team is Eintracht Frankfurt, who play in the German Bundesliga. Moving to Munich is going to be tough – there are too many Bayern fans!