About - Michael Josem

Michael Josem has over a decade of experience as a senior business leader working across various high-tech and online industries. He currently works as Associate Communications Director for a brand valuation consultancy.

His primary volunteer roles include service for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission,and FC Isle of Man. Further, he serves as a volunteer board/committee member for the Manx TaxPayers’ Alliance and the Manx Hockey Association. He also serves as a connector, communicator and catalyst for various local Manx charities.

Early in his career, Josem served various members of the Australian Parliament. During this time, he became a globally-recognised data visualisation expert and played a key role in uncovering a multi-million fraud in online poker which subsequently inspired Runner Runner, the 2013 movie starring Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck.

More recently, Josem has led marketing, communication and customer service teams at both large global corporations and small start-up teams.

Study and Starting Work

Josem was born and grew up in Australia, but is now becoming Manx by choice.

After finishing high school in Melbourne and receiving a ranking that placed him in the top 5% of high school students, he attended Monash University. While studying at Monash University, he worked part-time at the local football ground as a customer service assistant and ground announcer. He also worked part-time for Senator Tsebin Tchen, an inspirational community leader and public servant.

Subsequently, he served two-terms as President of the Monash University Student Union and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Policy Studies).

After university, Josem worked for various members of the Australian House of Representatives, helping to fight for the interests of rural residents in Australia.

Data Expert from Rural Australia to PokerStars

While living in the Australian country town of Wangaratta, Josem played a key role in detecting fraud in the online poker industry by management insiders. As a consumer advocate for safe and responsible online gambling, he appeared in the Washington Post, USA’s 60 Minutes, the Sydney Morning Herald, and elsewhere. This story was documented in the movie ‘Ultimatebeat – Too Much to Lose’ – but most importantly, it helped to achieve around $20,000,000 of refunds for the victims of the fraud.

Josem was subsequently contacted and hired by PokerStars, where he led teams to combat fraud against players as the Senior Manager for Game Security, and then served as the Head of Public Relations for several years.

Runner Runner

Josem’s experience of using data and analysis to uncover cheating in online poker was a key inspiration for the 20th Century Fox movie ‘Runner Runner‘. In the movie, Justin Timberlake’s character – based in part on Michael Josem – travelled to live in the sunny Caribbean – which is basically just like the Isle of Man.

Working in Isle of Man

Subsequent to leaving PokerStars in early 2017, Josem left the online gaming industry, and as a start-up entrepreneur, served as the Head of Customer Growth for Jobhawk, an Android and iOS app which connects workers with jobs in the building and construction industry. In that role, he provided customer service across many different channels, and led an online digital marketing campaign helping to empower blue collar workers.

He has also helped to promote the rejuvenation of central Douglas with Kelproperties Ltd., and formerly did some part-time work for the Manx Cooperative Society to connect with various local charities on the Isle of Man.

Community Engagement

In the Isle of Man, he is actively engaged with, many different community organisations.

He is a volunteer speaker and helps to maintain graves for the the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and is also a member of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

Michael is a life member of the Manx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and a member of various other organisations including Isle of Man Business Network, Institute of Directors, Friends of Manx National Heritage, Manx Wildlife Trust, Manx Credit Union, Isle of Man Woodland Trust, the Celtic League, Unherd.com, the Free Speech Union, Isle of Man Friends of Israel, Rotary Club of Douglas, IOM, and others.

He is in the process of concluding his service as Secretary of the Liberal Vannin Party.

Sport

Michael is a member and supporter of FC Isle of Man as they compete in the North West Counties Football League.

He is a member of, and serves on the boards of the Manx Hockey Association and Castletown Hockey Club, to offset his generally terrible skill at playing the sport of hockey.

Michael is a member of Isle of Man Netball, and has previously served as the Captain and Team Manager of the Men’s Isle of Man Netball Team. His preferred position is Goal Shooter.

Michael is also a member of Douglas Rugby Club and British Cycling. Beyond the Isle of Man, he remains a member of the Hawthorn Football Club and the Melbourne Cricket Club.