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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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Manny Larenas
USA
Manuel and(Manny) andLarenas
Senior Consultant

I am devoted to applying theory, practical application and innovation to people development. As a lead designer and facilitator with 10+ years of experience, I deliver custom client solutions globally. My insatiable curiosity stays satisfied by reading, researching and exploring the world. I love the culinary arts, and although I enjoy cooking, my passion is simply being the consumer of freshly made, delectable dishes. 

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Caroline Airey
UK
Caroline andAirey
Board Member

I joined Impact back in 1998 as a Management Accountant, and I am passionate about using financial information to inform and drive both short-term decision making and longer-term business strategy. I love living in the Lake District and exploring the surrounding lakes and mountains!

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Marjolein Smith
UK
Marjolein andSmith
Graphic Designer

Born in the Netherlands, I aim for simplicity, clarity and efficiency in my designs and processes. I appreciate Dutch, German and Swiss designs for their geometric boldness and witty solutions as well as the minimalism and sense of calm in modern Japanese design. To soothe my creative brain, I put on my running shoes and head for the beautiful hills that surround me to rediscover my peace and tranquillity.

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Yoshinori (Kite) Kaino, International
Japan
Yoshinori andKaino(Kite) and
Chief Executive Officer

I am responsible for “Re-Born Strategy” in Impact Japan, I am passionate about developing people and our organisation by executing all Re-Born strategic agendas. As a facilitator, I love creating and sharing the precious moments together with executives and managers who are reflectively asking themselves what leadership they would like to realise in their life/work. What I love most is drinking after working hard to make effort in realising my vision.

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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. 

Steven Nishida
USA
Steven andNishida
Senior Consultant

A lifelong passion for learning and leadership brought me to Impact, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. As a designer, facilitator, and thought partner, I embrace a scholar-practitioner mindset, running to the issues and engaging others with clarity, empathy, and authenticity. My favorite activity of each day is laughing, playing, and making up bedtime stories with my kids. They're hilarious!

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Annie Tan, Regional Account Director
Singapore
Annie andTan
Regional Account Director

As an avid explorer of adventure and lover of cultures, I’m glad to have found my home base with Impact. My role is all about sparkling curiosity, connecting values, and empowering lives through meaningful work, passion, and fun! Coffee and Tea are my best friends, and I love taking road trips on bikes and capturing candid moments of people and food! You can always find me in the biography section of any bookstore!

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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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Haruka Maruyama (Maruko)
Japan
Haruka andMaruyama(Maruko)
Assistant Manager, Planner

Working as a planner at Creative and Marketing Department since 2019. Before Impact, my career was mainly on the position of sales and marketing at the bank and advertising agency. My focus is on the capacity building for both individual and team. Virtual team building is one of the fatal themes because I am working as a full remote member. I love traveling around the world with my backpack and enjoying beautiful local delicacies!

Geraldina Sordi
Italy
Geraldina andSordi
Consultant & Sales Hub

Since I've joined Impact, I feel like my professional development grew exponentially. I feel very empowered by the company and by the values we bring each day into work. My goal is to learn how to best support our clients in every step of a consulting journey, as well as my colleagues, bringing a real change to the process. As a way to recharge I love to take long walks with my dog. My favourite sport is to hang out with friends, especially if in foreign countries!

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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. 

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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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! 

Ryan McCabe, Impact
USA
Ryan andMcCabe
Senior Consultant

I’m passionate about learning and helping people get the best out of themselves. I spent over 10 years in Learning & Development with a Fortune 15 company helping develop and deliver programs to Executives, Middle Management, and Aspiring Leaders from all different parts of the business. I believe that understanding and leveraging diversity is one of the biggest strengths of any organization and I really enjoy helping groups work towards that reality. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and 2 daughters as well as rooting for any and all Philly sports teams. I also have a pretty sweet record collection.

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Detlef Eigenbrodt
Italy
Detlef andEigenbrodt
Senior Consultant and Facilitator

I love to lead development. Development of reflection, knowledge and conviction. Personal and individual. Development of values, attitudes, performance and decisions. For a better understanding of People and for a greater invest into the worlds future.

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Simon Wheatley, Impact International
UK
Simon andWheatley
Senior Consultant

Analogue at birth, digital by requirement. I don’t do Facebook, and have nothing to do with hashtags. Is this bio going online? Eurgh! I am an eye-to-eye, face-to-face human being. I elevate small talk to medium talk. Then, (on a good day) to infinity and beyond. That’s my job. Favourite pastimes: Good days. Woodland crafts, festivals, and campfires. Specialist skills: Reading body language; parallel parking.

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Ryota Motohashi (Motty), Impact International
Japan
Ryota andMotohashi(Motty)
Client Partner

Exploring Human and Organizational Creativity 
I have 8 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, focusing on talent and organizational development. Discovering coaching inspired me to apply it in the field, seeing people transform through intrinsic motivation. This led me to join a coaching firm, supporting various industries.  Motivated by the question, "How can individuals and organizations unlock their potential?", I joined Impact to further develop my expertise.  I enjoy playing the drums and held a live performance last year. My motto: "Immerse myself in what I am passionate about while working." 

Wendy Lee, Impact
USA
Wendy andLee andBerger
Global Lead, Operations

I was lucky enough to join as the third member of the US team in 2006 and have done almost every role in the business including design, delivery, sales support, project management and even bookkeeping! That breadth of experience has helped me in my current leadership role, it allows me to understand the business from multiple perspectives and focus on operational excellence. My nickname is Wiki because I can usually help find the answer!

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Shino Takahashi, Impact International
Japan
Shino andTakahashi(Shelly)
Assistant Manager, Human Development

'Making Work Enjoyable for Children' I’ve spent 17 years in retail, gaining experience in sales, customer service, training, HR, and recruitment. This taught me that business growth relies on people’s growth, inspiring me to pursue my own and motivate children. A key moment was a training program at Impact Co. 11 years ago, sparking my passion for talent and organizational development. As a working mom, I focus on balance—committing to work weekdays and spending time with my toddler daughter on weekends. This balance is key. 

Magdalena Kwiatek, Senior Consultant
Poland
Magdalena andKwiatek
Senior Consultant

For over 22 years, as a consultant, coach and partner, I support leaders, teams and organizations in the process of change. I am an "educational gadget-head.", sharing what I learn with others, because of my passion for people development. Privately my husband and I run “No Kill” fishing-field, building a community of exceptional people.

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Rowan Cleed
UK
Rowan andCleet
Project Manager

As a Project Manager at Impact, I'm responsible for the implementation of client solutions by coordinating client service teams. I am based out of the Kelsick Office (UK). Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in the Lakes climbing, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking

Akira Matsumoto (Mikey), Impact International
Japan
Akira andMatsumoto(Mikey)
Assistant Manager, Facilitator

With nearly 18 years in the retail industry, I held roles such as sales, store manager, trainer, and area manager. These experiences taught me that when people grow, organizations grow. Supporting others made me reflect on my own growth and whether I still had something to offer. To challenge myself, I moved into a new industry. Now, I work to create training experiences that resonate emotionally and leave a lasting impression—while continuing to grow with my clients. 

Ignazio Raimondo
Italy
Ignazio andRaimondo
Senior Consultant and Account Leader

I deal with account management and sales development for Impact Italia and I enjoy delivering some of our programmes a lot. I am an Impact enthusiast and my brain is always looking for new ideas to bring the value of our fantastic brand to the market. You can find me at the office, on my Vespa on the streets of Rome, on my BMW bike surfing the best routes of the world! Do you want serious and reliable references? Ask my wife and my 6-year old twins.

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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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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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