Skip to main content

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.

tonka watson
New Zealand
Tonka andWatson
Senior Consultant

As a former client, I jumped at the chance to work with Impact in 2002 and pursue my passion for inspiring others to realise their potential. I’m an avid reader and love to incorporate my learning into the leadership development programmes that I deliver; recent topics of interest include applied neuroscience & gender dynamics. Dogs feature widely in my life outside of work.

Karen Jaques Impact International
UK
Dr andKaren andJaques
Associate

I love exploring issues that my clients face and helping to find practical solutions. My other roles include developing Impact’s thinking around leadership and team development, and using systemic perspectives to encourage responsible leadership in business and society. Convincing, articulate and credible as a facilitator, I'm passionate about helping people realise their full potential...including myself! I love ski-mountaineering and any ways to access wild places.

Linkedin Icon
Shiwali Daryapurkar
USA
Shiwali andDaryapurkar
Program Manager

I enjoy using my strengths in operations management to bring organisations into the chaos and to connect people with resources. I look forward to supporting the team from behind the scenes to execute the programs successfully and meaningfully. In my personal time, you will find me traveling, cooking, event planning, reading, and involved in theatre and film productions.

Linkedin Icon
Dave Hardegger, Impact
New Zealand
Dave andHardegger
General Manager, New Zealand
Asia Lead - Solutions & Practice

I love what I do! Each day is so different and brings challenges, interactions, and rewards. In my different roles I get to lead, mentor, coach, create solutions, and deliver life-changing experiences. I’m lucky to be surrounded by amazing colleagues - whom I get to call friends. I relax by spending time in nature – usually with my loving family but with the occasional solo adventure as well!

Linkedin Icon
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. 

Linkedin Icon
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. 

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!

Linkedin Icon
Gabrielle Thorpe, Impact
UK
Gabrielle andThorpe
Project Manager

After living in France and working in the ski industry for 13 years, I decided to move back to the UK, joining the Impact Project Management team. I work on several major global client solutions across industries such as insurance, pharmaceuticals, sportswear and automotive. I build strong working relationships, both internally and externally, to support teams through solution design to delivery.

Kate Wolf
USA
Kate andWolf
Sr Director, Client Services

I’ve spent my career partnering with clients to solve problems and drive their organizations forward. As Teddy Roosevelt (and then Leslie Knope) shared: “The greatest gift that life can give is to work hard at work worth doing.” I’m honored and thrilled to do meaningful work with my colleagues at Impact, leveraging powerful experiential learning experiences for our clients to create the ‘leaders they wish they had’. Outside of work I love to explore the beauty of Oregon by foot, bike or boat.

Linkedin Icon
Rebecca Shaw
UK
Rebecca andShaw
Consultant

I love why Impact exists, which is to liberate human potential. I love building effective client relationships both externally and internally, the people at Impact are passionate, motivated individuals, and I love working here. I am always out and about, whether it is running around after my niece or walking the fells or working out in the gym, happy, happy, happy!

Linkedin Icon
Sue Hunt
Sue andHunt
Board Member

My first school had the motto 'Aim High' and that has always resonated with me. I rise to a challenge, both personally & professionally, enjoying new situations and solving difficult & complex problems. I certainly had plenty of those as International Treasurer of Goldman Sachs and as a Director for the London 2012 Olympics & Paralympics. I joined the Board of Impact to help grow the business globally. It's great to be part of such a diverse global team!

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.

Linkedin Icon
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!

Maggie Pearce, Impact International
UK
Maggie andPearce
Head of Design

I have a global role around developing and sharing our learning practice, which I combine with designing and delivering some of our more complex client solutions. I have developed and pioneered ‘Solution Mapping’ – Impact’s consultancy framework, and specialise in evaluation strategies, as well as designing leadership action based simulations. I'm Impact’s unofficial Chief Cartoonist and, wherever possible, I use cartoons to bring insights and concepts to life.

Linkedin Icon
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.

Linkedin Icon
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.

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!

Daniel Osborn
UK
Daniel andOsborn
Business Data Analyst

Having the job title 'analyst' means that I've been lucky enough to get involved in a wide range of projects both internally and working with clients. I love helping people get the most out of the tools they are using, making processes as efficient as possible and understanding data – all of which is part of my work every day. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me in the Lake District somewhere with my family.

Linkedin Icon
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...

Linkedin Icon
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.

Linkedin Icon
John Scott
New Zealand
John andScott
Consultant

People are at the heart of everything I do and I care deeply about ensuring individuals and teams have the skills, support and temperament to best deal with their future. In my spare time I chair the board of a local art gallery and support the development of our growing community of emerging and successful artists.

 

Yoshinobu (Hosshan) Hosoki, Impact International
Japan
Yoshinobu andHosoki(Hosshan)
Manager, Business Consulting Department

Being a manager of the delivery team in Impact Japan, I have been putting great effort and energy into realising our “Re-Born Strategy” from the delivery quality aspect. For my leadership style, creating trust is the most important factor. I support my team by creating trusting relationships, and as a facilitator, I use this quality to create a completely safe and open learning space in programmes. I love having a good time with people, drinking and karaoke.

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!

Linkedin Icon
Ilaria Capogrossi Guarna
Italy
Ilaria andCapogrossi andGuarna
Key Account Support

I had the chance to join Impact Italy in June 2022 Joining Impact has added value to my professional background giving me the opportunity to work with very special collegues in a world company.I support our team and I coordinate the Milan Office.

In my spare time I like to travel to discover new destinations and people. I love animals and sports, especially skiing.

Linkedin Icon
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. 

More about the awards (opens in a new tab)
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.

More about the awards (opens in a new tab)