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About us

Meet the team

Impact is bursting with energetic, talented and passionate people who want to make a difference. Our people work from over 30 global locations.

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Holly Higham Impact International
UK
Holly andHigham
Global Lead, Marketing

My job is to share amazing client stories with the world through integrated marketing campaigns. I love live events and building Impact's community, as well as research and content creation. I live for adventure...and cake!

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Jaya Machet
Singapore
Jaya andMachet
Senior Consultant

My coaching & facilitation expertise builds on a strong foundation of 20+ years in senior management positions including global and regional roles. I guide leaders to their peak potential and help enhance their professional and personal impact. I grew up in India and then studied and worked in Switzerland for 23 years before moving to Singapore. This has helped me successfully bridge Eastern and Western thinking, with an in-depth understanding of both cultures. I am an avid reader and love to spend time in nature and travel. 

Agata Stanik, General Manager, Country Manager
Poland
Agata andStanik
Country Manager

I am passionate about helping organisations become worth working for and making the world a better place, achieving long term sustainability for a safe future. At Impact I can grow and flourish to my full potential and at my own pace. Together with me grow our partners and our relationships, evolving into true friendships. Ecology, whether it comes to the planet, environment or people and relations, is a value of great importance to me.

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Naoshi Kimura (Woody)
Japan
Naoshi andKimura(Woody)
Manager, Client Success Department

Over 10 years of experience in retail industry, I experienced various roles, managing some stores as a store manager, executing retail strategies as a retail manager, and an internal trainer in the organizational change project, planning, making, delivering the programs to the managers and staffs. I am very much interested in “people change” so very happy to work at Impact to build my career as a professional of people and organizational consultant.

Stephen Smith, Impact
UK
Stephen andSmith
DevOps Lead

I am the DevOps Lead at Zinco, helping Impact build its web presence. I love the diversity my role brings, I work with many types of organisations and interact with some amazing people. I’m a problem solver and love tinkering with new technology to see what’s around the corner. Outside of work my passion is cycling and enjoying time with my family.

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Michelle Dong
China and Hong Kong
Michelle andDong
Senior Consultant

In all my work, I am driven by a profound interest in what moves and motivates people. I believe that everybody can make significant improvements through continuous self-exploration. I deliver individual coaching, workshops and training programs with the focus of increasing the potential of Senior Managers and High Potentials and developing their team leadership skills as well as helping them with behavioural change initiatives which naturally bring along performance improvements. 

Molly Shrimpton, Impact
UK
Molly andShrimpton
Content Editor
Having joined the business in 2019, I work as part of the marketing team, creating and editing written content for the Impact blog. I currently work part-time whilst I study for a PhD in the environmental humanities. Outside of work, I love fell walking, outdoor swimming, learning about conservation, and going on adventures with my crazy dog!
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Magdalena Cackowska, Impact International
Poland
Magdalena andCackowska
Financial Manager

My job is managing financial issues: reports, financial simulations, payments, also preparing contracts for clients, associates, employees and much much more… from coordinating travel arrangements to organising internal meetings and workshops. I love working with Impact people – I’ve worked here since 2003 and have no plans to move! I’m crazy about my small bit of land near the river and forests where I travel almost every weekend with my family and friends.

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David Muir, Impact
China and Hong Kong
David andMuir
Client Solutions

An avid traveller and outdoor adventure enthusiast I jump at the opportunity to try new things and am a pioneer at heart. I have spent the better part of the last 10 years working in experiential education and am deeply committed to developing responsible and sustainable leadership. I am passionate about inspiring, motivating and engaging people to fulfil their potential.

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Gianna Ruffo
USA
Gianna andRuffo
Program, Manager

As a Program Manager at Impact, I get to utilize the communication and organizational skills gained from my 6 years of customer service experience and owning my own business. My favorite aspect of the role, is seeing a program be designed and developed over time, come together in the end. In my free time, you will find me cooking, hiking, painting, or playing with my dogs! 

Cassie Cuppek
USA
Cassie andCuppek
Senior Consultant

When asked, "What do you do for work?" it is not uncommon for me to respond, "Light Bulb Moment Technician". I have been fortunate to be filled with such energy through my talent, leadership, and organisational development work. When I am not working, I take my role as Aunt Cassie with my husband, Josh, very seriously! It is the greatest thrill to teach them to ride motorcycles, do yoga, and explore the world.

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Alicja Pietrasz, Marketing Executive
UK
Alicja andPietrasz
Digital Marketing Executive

As a Digital Marketing Executive I am responsible for a broad range of global marketing projects and activities. I believe in Impact's mission, values, methodology and expertise, and I hope that thanks to my work more people around the world will hear about the great changes we make for organisations and their people. I am a nomadic soul and travel often to discover, experience and learn how the world and people differ.

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Phil Holdsworth, Impact
New Zealand
Phil andHoldsworth
Head of Asia

In the last 25+ years I’ve worked with many great organisations and love being able to bring a breadth and depth of experience to my programs. I currently regularly travel across Asia consulting for clients and looking after our great people. I'm described as an Energiser Bunny, I bring energy into everything I do, even if I'm stepping off a 12-hour flight! I recover by spending time with my family and exploring the wilderness in NZ with a fishing rod.

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Trevor Johnson
USA
Trevor andJohnson
Senior Consultant

I am a passionate, strengths-based leadership coach and facilitator who focuses on taking what is right with people and creating more of it! I have a passion for driving sustainable DEI and well-being initiatives, specializing in LGBTQ+ and mental health topics.

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Lou McDonald, Impact
UK
Lou andMcDonald
Head of Brand

Sum myself up in a paragraph? There’s a challenge! And maybe a good starting point. I like challenge. I like the challenge of grabbing attention with interesting, useful and relevant marketing. From a new website or re-brand to a sell-out festival, for me it’s all about customer first. I like a physical challenge too, and the challenge of how long I can last without listening to music!

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Daniel Giejbatow, Senior Consultant
Poland
Daniel andGiejbatow
Senior Consultant

As a consultant and the manager, for the last 20 years, I was focused on practical aspects of business transformation. Managing HR field I had a chance to collect best practices within telecommunication and financial sectors. I have experience in leading mergers and acquisitions of a large organisations. I am a psychologist and psychotherapist by education and graduated with MBA and AMP business studies. I love outdoor activities, especially in the mountains.

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Clive Barrow
New Zealand
Clive andBarrow
Consultant

I’ve had a passion for enriching lives through deeply practical experiential learning, and immersion in adventure around the world for most of my career. As a British Army officer, expedition leader, leadership consultant and executive coach I’ve had the enormous privilege to facilitate learning experiences for others in over 40 different countries. My greatest gift - apart from my wife and kids - doing the work I love!

Yuki Okamoto, Impact International
Japan
Yuki andOkamoto(Yuki)
Master Coordinator

Since 2006 I have coordinated programme delivery. This involves meeting facilitators and consultants to design great modules, using creativity to ensure participants have profound learning experiences that add value to their organisation. I manage project set up and use technical skills such as abseil belaying. I have a teaching licence to teach PE. Now I enjoy working using my body, so I love to do exercise and jogging, swimming, gymnastics, and most outdoor things!

Sydney Johnson
USA
Sydney andJohnson
Program Manager

I am a Program Manager located in the heart of Texas. My favorite part of my role is interacting with so many different people daily while building and carrying out a variety of client-specific programs. Every day, I learn something new, and it excites me to continue growing in my position. When I am not working, you can find me dancing, rewatching Friday Night Lights, traveling, and spending time with my friends, family, and dogs! 

Dave Milligan, Impact International
UK
Dave andMilligan
Support

In support we deliver on programs and manage day-to-day operations and infrastructure. I really enjoy my role as it’s very diverse, one day I am canoeing on Windermere and the next cleaning boots! My favourite programs feature outdoor activities and journeys. People see me as a steady pair of hands and a person who does a quality, professional job. Outside work I keep myself fit and active, and enjoy chilling out with my wife Emma and travelling in our camper van.

Mark Quest, Impact International
UK
Mark andQuest
Consultant

I’ve worked in learning and development since 2000 across a broad range of sectors. I always enjoy the challenge of identifying participants needs and matching the environment, task and conversation to help create meaningful and long lasting learning. Outside of work, you'll find me exploring the outdoors with my family, be that on bikes, in canoes, rock climbing or even exploring underground; we love the challenges that adventure brings to our lives.

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Francesca Gianandrea
Italy
Francesca andGianandrea
Senior Consultant and Facilitator

Senior consultant, for over 25 years I have been involved in the design, development and management of projects in both corporate and cultural organisations. Consolidated experience in team building, creativity and development of commercial skills.I love photography, practicing yoga and creating unique and colorful objects with my hands.

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Yukiko Asano (Coco), Impact International
Japan
Yukiko andAsano(Coco)
Client Partner

I have worked at Impact Japan since 2015, coordinating the delivery of programmes. I support our consultants and delivery operations. What makes me happy is seeing my colleagues, clients and participants smile, as my job is supporting them. My hobby is collecting Starbucks Coffee mugs from around the world, although I don’t drink coffee personally!

Tim Lofthouse Impact
UK
Tim and(Lofty) andLofthouse
Support

I support delivery of high quality, safe and challenging programmes and keep the operations infrastructure in a safe and workable condition. I have been lucky to have worked in some amazing places around the world with some amazing colleagues and participants. Working from Base still takes some beating though! When not working I enjoy having adventures with my family, exploring the Lakes and keeping fit by running, climbing and riding my Cyclocross bike.

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Leadership

The leadership playbook: executive summary

Get hands on with our interactive leadership playbook, shaped by 45+ years' experience working with some of the world's biggest organisations.

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Leadership
News

2025 Training Industry Top Training Companies Lists: Leadership Training 

Training Industry, known for its independent and rigorous assessment of the training marketplace, has recognized Impact as a Top 20 Leadership Training Company for the 15th consecutive year.

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Change
Innovation & Creativity
Leadership

C-level leaders on navigating complexity

Discover what it means to lead in today's global business environment through our insightful eBook.

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Emerging Talent
Transformational Leadership

Frontline leadership program for Orica

A 12-week blended program designed to help frontline leaders develop foundational and practical skills to be more effective in current

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Change
Digital & Technology
Leadership

Podcast: Is BANI the new VUCA? with Jamais Cascio

Jamais Cascio created the BANI framework in 2018 and six years later, Impact is the first UK/US based organisation to invite him to speak about it. In this podcast we explore what BANI is and how...

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Change Management
Transformational Leadership

Empowering transformational change through leadership with Charter Manufacturing

Charter Manufacturing’s multi-award-winning programs have produced leaders who are enabled to be agile and lead transformational change.

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Our awards

Year after year, we continue to be acknowledged for the quality and effectiveness of our partnerships with clients and for our own work on building Impact as an organisation worth working for.

2025 Training Industry Top 20 Leadership Training Company
Top 20 Leadership Training Company 2025

Impact is a 2025 Top 20 Leadership Training Company. Training Industry independently assess the training marketplace for top providers. Their Top Leadership Training List, based on capabilities and expertise, includes Impact for the 15th consecutive year. 

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AITD 2025 award finalist
AITD Excellence Awards 2025

Orica's Frontline Leadership programme has been shortlisted in the Best Leadership Development category of the AITD Excellence Awards 2025 (Australian Institute of Training and Development).

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