Jonathan Krumholz
ESA Diploma Scholar, 2025
ESA introduced the ESA Diploma Scholarship in 2022 to increase industry diversity as part of its mission as the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship. Jonathan Krumholz, Sports Partnerships Manager at Acronis, reflects on his experience.
You have been studying the ESA Diploma for the past eight months. How did it go for you?
It is a big commitment in terms of the time you need to invest, to read all the material provided in each module and additional research to deliver the assignments, but is an investment with a very high return of investment. I can say that everything I managed to build based on the information, knowledge and network provided by the course was definitely worth it.
You can now use the Dip ESA suffix after your name, having earned a prestigious professional qualification. How does that feel?
Proud! Not just because it is a sign of completing an objective, but because of the sense of belonging to this great community that recognises and supports its members. Now I will be seen and treated as an ESA Diploma graduate!
What did you find most enjoyable about the course, and what did you find most challenging?
Most enjoyable was without doubt having Peter providing his insights and his time on 1-1 sessions, but I also enjoyed the sessions with experts in the industry and some interesting readings. The most challenging thing was the time, but also I struggled building my network as strong as I would have wished because of the distance and low participation of some students on the chats.
What would you say to somebody considering applying for the 2026 Scholarship?
Do it! Dedicate the time and squeeze the most out of the course and the ESA membership experience. A lot of work and time is needed to be successful, but you will come out professionally much stronger and confident at the end of it.
How important is it for the sponsorship industry to be representative of the whole sponsorship industry?
I think it is very important in order to achieve best practice, to make sure that participants can find common ground in terms of values and industry practices and to make sure that research, networking and regulations are in place to continue the growth of the industry.
What are your personal career goals within sponsorship, and how do you think this qualification will enable you to achieve them?
My main career goal is to continue growing in the sports industry. Sponsorship is without doubt one of the most important financial incomes of most sports, and therefore, I want to continue learning and growing my knowledge and experience to lead a sponsorship department for a rights holder and then see how I can continue growing from there.
- Find out more about the ESA Sponsorship Diploma Scholarship
