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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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Gavin Shaw
USA
Gavin andShaw
VP of Finance

Leading the US finance department includes guiding my team, considering new ways for increased financial success, keeping the team financially informed and ensuring accurate reporting. I have a business/accounting degree and 15+ years experience as a CPA. I see myself as a finance skilled business partner rather than an accountant. I love spectator sports, food, wine, whisky, binge watching TV, travel, wood burning open fires and being outside in the fresh air.

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Mark Sanders, Impact International
UK
Mark andSanders
Head of Operations

I manage equipment, projects and vehicles at our HQ. I have a certificate of competence in the inspection of personal protective equipment for adventure activities, level 3 qualification in transport managers professional competence and IOSH managing safely certificate. My sense of humour helps me to cope with a job which is at best dull. Playing guitar with the infamous Impact band "you get what you pay for" is simultaneously the moment I'm most and least proud of.

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.

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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Sam Parkin
UK
Samantha andParkin
Credit Controller

I'm part of the UK Accounts Department and I'm responsible for issuing all of Impact's sales invoices both electronically or by post in a multitude of currencies sent to our clients all over the world. I work closely with lots of my colleagues both here in the UK and overseas. Out of work I enjoy spending my time cycling in the beautiful Lake District Countryside, walking and spending time with family and friends.

 

Ethan Brown
UK
Ethan andBrown
Accounts

I work in accounts at Impact. I am based in the Windermere office (UK).

Sam Rostas, Impact International
UK
Samantha andRostas
Global Lead

After 10 years leading the UK, I am now in a global role focused on two areas: one leading a people project, the other focused on marketing. I grew up through Impact as a marketer and love the buzz of building business through brand and storytelling. My other passion is the people and culture here, so this is the ideal combination for me. When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family, enjoying the outdoors and practicing yoga.

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Connor Gildert, Sales, Americas
USA
Connor andGildert
Sales Operations Administrator

I work alongside our business development team to ensure we provide quality service to our global clients. I also work closely with our internal teams to help do our bit to help develop the local community. Impact gives me the space to be myself, which usually gets me into trouble...

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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! 

Abi Black Impact
UK
Abi andBlack
Project Manager

As a Project Manager I am responsible for the end-to-end implementation of our client solutions by managing and coordinating the client service teams. During my time at Impact I have worked with a broad mixture of clients and participants ranging from graduates to senior leaders. In my free time I enjoy spending time in the Lakes, planning my next holiday and spending time with friends and family.

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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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John Matthews
UK
John andMatthews
Senior Consultant

I bring passion and experience to serve clients in some of the world's most progressive organisations - enabling leaders to perform at their best. I'm told I have an engaging and inquisitive style that connects easily and am particularly effective at getting people to see the wider context. I enjoy adventure and love nothing more than exploring the wilderness with family and friends or tackling an unusual sporting challenge.

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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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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. 

Anthony Cox
UK
Anthony andCox
IT Support

I help to support the entire business with all of their IT related needs. I have had a large passion for all things technology since I was a kid. In my spare time, you can catch me listening to music, on my PlayStation or playing Dungeons and Dragons. 

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Alia Bojilova
New Zealand
Alia andBojilova
Consultant and Psychologist

I dedicate my time to working with leaders and teams in unlocking potential, strengthening alignment and in stimulating innovation, in a way that sees us surpass the visions we uphold.

Rafal Kamilski, Impact International
Poland
Rafal andKamilski
Operational Manager

I am responsible for our support team and coordinating the Warsaw office. I project manage, which includes monitoring facilitation, communicating with partners, background logistics and managing course equipment for our fantastic experiential projects. Since joining in 2005 my role has developed through office manager and H&S advisor. I love what I do and the people I work with. Personally, I am getting to know my young son and understand his world. Life is a journey.

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Michal Zawadzki, Senior Consultant
Poland
Michał andZawadzki
Senior Consultant

Having a limited number of words to describe myself I choose...that is one of the keywords, among decide, like, wonder. There are many others. Working with people, I value being aware – of a person, a group, and also of words being used. I think of them as a code passing through our minds – all that is within the light of consciousness shapes our experiences and reactions towards the world. So, what do you choose?

Kazusa Nara(Nalu), Impact International
Japan
Kazusa andNara(Nalu)
Client Partner

Giving my all to grow and enjoy work
I have back-office experience in the apparel, IT, equipment manufacturing, and consulting industries. Most recently, I worked in HR for a cosmetics brand, handling recruitment. Believing in developing existing talent over competing for new hires, I joined Impact to unlock my own potential while working towards the company’s mission. 

Marlies Hulshof, Program Manager
Australia
Marlies andHulshof
Program Manager

Every day is a new adventure at Impact. As a Program Manager, I enjoy meeting people from all walks of life in the professional sphere. With my background in marketing, sales, customer service and business administration, Impact has provided an opportunity for me to utilise my communication and organisational skills on meaningful programs. In my spare time, you’ll find me practicing yoga, surfing, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.

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Romina Henle
Italy
Romina andHenle
Senior Consultant and Facilitator

Since 2018 I collaborate with Impact as an associate. I love facilitating its varied experiential learning programs, online & in person. I am mainly involved in the delivery for international groups and teams. It is enriching to collaborate with Impact’s colleagues, getting to know different industries, working cultures, professional profiles and much more. I enjoy being in nature, experimenting new things in life and experiencing the different customs and traditions of our world. 

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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!

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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Doug Greenhough, Zinco
UK
Doug andGreenhough
Head of Learning Tech

I love both learning and technology, so leading Impact’s learning tech R&D is a fantastic gig. Technology can sometimes feel in conflict with the humanity we seek to serve, but thoughtful application of tech immerses us in challenging experiences, brings us closer together and helps us to learn the most important, most human skills. My approach to learning tech (and life, for that matter) echoes Impact’s practice: experiential and human-centred.

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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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