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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.

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. 

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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Sam Williams, Impact
UK
Sam andWilliams
Business Development

At 21 I had my first day of work at Impact in the stores... I am still making up for everything that happened that week. My passion is in sports coaching and development. My journey with Impact has taken me traveling around the world where I continue to meet and work with many amazing people. I am a big family man, and love surrounding myself with the best of company. If I am not herding terrifying highland cattle, I’ll be playing rugby or baking sponge cakes. 

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Arianna Bianchi
Italy
Arianna andBianchi
Consultant and Facilitator

As a consultant, I hope to be a catalyst for change, helping others to discover what their real needs are. Empathy, curiosity, creativity, organisation and strong sense of duty are the things that most characterise me. I love the adventure and the discovery of travelling, organising outdoor trips with friends in close contact with nature… But also sharing a gin lemon or a barbecue at home is not so bad!

Claire Hewick, Impact
UK
Claire andHewick
Support

I was an associate for Impact for 21 years before becoming part of the full-time team. I love the sense of fun, friendship, camaraderie and the way Impact works. Oh, by the way I’m on the Technical Support Team – ropes and boats, programme design and logistics and lots of other things too. I love my job, get loads of out of it, meet lots of amazing people and learn new things all the time – how lucky am I?

Sarah Osteen
USA
Sarah andOsteen
Senior Consultant

I have spent my career exploring, researching, teaching, coaching and practising leadership skills. I love working with individuals and groups to tackle hurdles and develop strategic initiatives. When I am not designing programs, I like to spend time with my son and my husband building forts out of driftwood or laughing with friends in the beautiful pacific northwest.

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Tony Ren, Impact
China and Hong Kong
Tony andRen
Country Manager

Having worked at Impact's UK HQ and Tokyo office, I have been heading up Impact China and developing new business in China and Asia Pacific since 2009. As a professional consultant, I have over fifteen years of management experience covering strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, business development, and worldwide operational excellence. I am extensively involved in the development and delivery of talent development projects at all levels of organisations. 

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Hisae Hashimoto, Impact International
Japan
Hisae andHashimoto(Sae)
Facilitator

I provide inspiring opportunities for leaders to explore possibilities in expanding sustainable business and organisational development. As a staff support manager I have been leading operations such as talent acquisitions. Supporting others and organisations to expand their full potential is my passion. I enjoy ensuring we have a unique workplace where we can maximise potential and strengths. I love climbing mountains, hot springs and good organic foods.

Itsuyo Watanabe(Barbara)
Japan
Itsuyo andWatanabe(Barbara) and
Director, Brand Enhancement Department

As a consultant, I like Impact's programmes because every one of our projects could make the participants think deeply about their issues in the workplace, and move forward for their business success. I am excited when exploring a solution for my clients' current and future business challenges. Besides my job, I like cooking, travelling, fine arts, musicals, Japanese KABUKI, opera etc.

Kathyann Waple Impact
UK
Kathyann andWaple
Head of Digital Transformation

I am all about meaningful relationships. I’m good at detail but love the big picture. Business strategy excites me and implementation more so! My role is to head up our digital strategy and take Impact’s experiential face to face practice in to the digital world, strengthening our blended programme work and building digital solutions that serve our clients’ needs in these times of exponential change. I’m a daughter, sister, aunty, wife and mum. I adore sport and adventure, especially cycling, snowboarding, swimming and surfing.

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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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Martina Sconcerti, Impat Italy
Italy
Martina andSconcerti
Senior Consultant

My big mission has always been building people, teams and managers in the name of passion and authenticity. I do it through my expertise as a manager, as well as by coaching and  mentoring. We have to work so many hours in our lives, my wish is that most people possible would do it in the best way possible. I live in seafront, and I am a sailor. Sea is my key element, especially in winter, when nobody comes.

Kamil Kurpierz, Impact consultant
Poland
Kamil andKurpierz
Senior Consultant

I have always been curious about how people learn, grow and collaborate. As a consultant and facilitator, I enjoy helping teams make sense of complex challenges and find solutions that work in practice. I believe the best ideas emerge through curiosity, collaboration and great questions.

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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! 

Trudy Bridger, Impact
Australia
Trudy andBridger
Consultant

My role is to build strong, trusted partnerships with clients and help bring our shared purpose to life: liberating human potential and creating organisations that are truly worth working for. I’ve worked across a wide range of roles at Impact, giving me broad experience and a unique perspective on the business. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me out in nature, reading, cooking, or—more likely—chasing after my energetic toddler.

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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. 

Ewa Rolley
Poland
Ewa andRolley
GM,

Change is my partner in business and life. “Be better” is my inspiration to continue to grow. I joined Impact 20 years ago and have worked in many different roles as a consultant, general manager, coach and business developer from offices in Europe and Asia. In my current role, I am responsible for supporting businesses in Poland and Central Europe, and I am also co-creating transformation solutions with clients. 

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Michelle Roberts, Impact International
UK
Michelle andRoberts
Head of HR

I love the variety of my role, working with global clients on complex projects and learning from inspiring Impact people, no two days are the same. I’m responsible for the quality of customer service, building excellent client relationships, providing commercial strategies with meticulous project scoping and planning, alongside first class solution delivery and evaluation. I love the outdoors; walking, running or camping with our two boys and crazy cocker spaniel. 

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Hannah Irwin - Impact International
UK
Hannah andIrwin
Assistant to The Boss

I support the CEO in an exciting and super varied role - from Board meetings to barbecues and everything else in between. An Impacter since 1999, marketer and mum, I have a need to be outdoors every day - no matter what the weather! For me, Impact is a unique place where people matter and my work and life can intertwine through flexible working and trust.

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David Cooper, Impact
USA
David andCooper
Senior Consultant

I have been working in L&D since 1992 and joined Impact in 2004, providing design, management, and delivery expertise to clients around the globe. Current initiatives have me consulting with clients from multiple business sectors to coach and facilitate the development of key leadership talent. I am also a past adventure consultant and professional rock climbing guide with numerous alpine and big wall ascents around the world.

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Sabrina Bianchi Impact
Italy
Sabrina andBianchi
Head of marketing and Communication

I joined Impact in early 2022, and it was the best start to the year ever! My commitment is to develop and implement communication and marketing activities to give more and more visibility to the pathways and initiatives we create for our clients. In my spare time, I cheer for Inter and organize dinners and trips with friends and family.

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Damiao Lo
China and Hong Kong
Damiao andLo and
Senior Consultant

Working with Impact allows me to cross-germinate ideas and learnings between clients globally. In an ever-changing, dynamic business environment, I promote everyone to be designers of possibilities.

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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Josh Williams, Impact
UK
Josh andWilliams
Consultant

I enjoy working with people, teams and organisations to perform to their potential. My outdoor leadership degree, time working in the outdoors and coaching has built a foundation for me which I have had the privilege to build upon for the last eight years at Impact working as part of the delivery team with various clients. I have a keen interest in areas of the business such as leadership development, wellbeing and experiential learning.

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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.

2026 Training Industry Top 20 Leadership Training Company
2026 Training Industry Top 20 Leadership Training Company

Impact is a 2026 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 16th consecutive year. 

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Chief Learning Officer gold award 2025
Gold Excellence in Partnership Award from Chief Learning Officer 2025

Impact won the gold award at the Chief Learning Officer 2025 Learning in Practice Awards for Excellence in Partnership. This recognises our support of Bristol Myers Squibb in implementing a learning and development programme.

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