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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.

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Trees and roads
Yuki Okamoto, Impact International
Japan
Yuki Okamoto(Yuki)
Operation Quality Controller, Master Coordinator, Japan

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!

Simon Wheatley, Impact International
UK
Simon Wheatley
Senior Consultant, UK

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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Susi Biancucci
Italy
Susi Biancucci
Office Support, Italy

I joined Impact Italy 20 years ago and was immediately love! This is a fantastic place with fantastic people where to work! I support our team and I coordinating the Rome Office. I am a tireless and curious person, always looking for new things to learn. In my private life, I love cooking “pasta alla Carbonara”, reading and when I have the time I take refuge in my beloved Tuscany!

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Cassie Cuppek
USA
Cassie Cuppek
Senior Consultant, Americas

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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Gianna Ruffo
USA
Gianna Ruffo
Program, Manager, US

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! 

Lou McDonald Impact
UK
Lou McDonald
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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Mark Sanders, Impact International
UK
Mark Sanders
Head of Operations, UK

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.

Sam Rostas, Impact International
UK
Samantha Rostas
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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Elena Ceriotti
Italy
Elena Ceriotti
CEO, Executive coach Italy

Find a job you love and you will never work a single day in your live! I do everything from managing the business, to inspiring people and helping clients to develop as sustainable business in which the quality of leadership is crucial. People describe me as a passionate and fast moving person, able to quickly connect to the culture and the needs of each organisation and to co-design powerful solutions. I love adventure which is about saying “yes” to life.

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Nguyen Lam,Japan Impact
Japan
Nguyen Lam(Lam)
Client Partner, Japan

I'm passionate about organizational psychology and behavior and joined Impact after years of experiences in global business. I was inspired by the way Impact uses unique adventurous, experiential learning solutions, and now am passionate to help clients achieve real improvements in performance as a consultant. When I am not at work, you can find me walking around the city with my camera.

Nancy Smith
USA
Nancy Smith
Global Knowledge Manager, Americas

As a past client now working at Impact, I’ve come full circle in my career and consider myself “in the zone” doing work that I truly love. Every professional experience has uniquely positioned me to lead our efforts to create a system and approach to knowledge management, helping us to become more efficient by capturing our intellectual capital and better leveraging the collective brilliance of our teams around the world. Collaborating with my global colleagues to deliver on Impact’s purpose, a keen sense for developing structure and process, while still maintaining a creative edge is what drives me every day.

Outside of work, you’ll find me spending time with my two children, writing, reading, and enjoying my husband’s cooking and music…especially when he’s behind the decks as his DJ alter ego.

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Dave Hardegger, Impact
New Zealand
Dave Hardegger
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!

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Delfino Corti
Italy
Delfino Corti
Senior Consultant and Executive coach, Italy

I see life as a gift and a journey. I bring in my backpack some of the experiences I had the luck to have: nuclear engineering and 25 years as a manager in various industries in various parts of the globe. And then Impact. I feel excited when I see the very essence of situations emerge: in individuals, groups, communities, and organisations. I am fond of endurance sports and am a passionate soul explorer. 

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Yutaka Sugimoto, Impact
Japan
Yutaka Sugimoto(Yutaka)
Chief Glocal Officer, Japan

I was inspired by experiential learning on a leadership programme in 1992 and have worked for Impact ever since. Experiential learning and reflection alongside theory and skills input is a platform for real behaviour change for leaders. My passion is building an organisation worth working for and supporting our clients by developing people. I play football and enjoy discussing the match with friends. Drinking beer maybe more important than playing football.

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Rafal Kamilski, Impact International
Poland
Rafal Kamilski
Operational Manager, Poland

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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Sarah Brammeier
UK
Sarah Brammeier
Senior Consultant, UK

A global leadership facilitator/coach, I partner with you to meet challenges in uncertain, complex environments. I focus on what works in order to create programmes where learning is used right away. I am a bad surfer/golfer, lapsed runner and improving tennis player.

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Daniel Osborn
UK
Daniel Osborn
Business Data Analyst, UK

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.

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Phil Poole, Impact International
UK
Phil Poole
Global Safety Advisor

I’ve been working at Impact for over 30 years and now advise on Safety. It’s a demanding job, but Impact also allows me time to have my own adventures. I am a qualified International mountain guide and run yearly expeditions to East Greenland. These experiences give me a healthy dose of “on the edge” experiences, helping me to sharpen my skills and foster a common sense approach to safety matters. There's always something different to give advice on.

Steven Nishida, Impact Americas
USA
Steven Nishida
Senior Consultant, Americas

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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Roger Nielsen, Impact Australia
Australia
Roger Nielsen
Senior Consultant, Australia

Over the past 16 years at Impact I've worked around the world with some truly wonderful people. I've been the lead facilitator on many large-scale initiatives focused on developing leadership capability, high performing teams and coaching. I love the outdoors, and spend many hours at the beach with my wife and daughter.

 

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

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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Anna Zhu
Australia
Anna Zhu
Business Support Coordinator

I offer administrative assistance to the Impact Australian team in their program delivery efforts. I'm delighted to be part of this dynamic and encouraging team, which provides me with opportunities for continuous learning and personal growth. My enthusiasm lies in embracing fresh challenges and devising innovative solutions. Outside of work, I find solace and enjoyment in the realms of food and music.

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Yasushi Igarashi, Impact International
Japan
Yasushi Igarashi(Yasu)
Safety Quality Controller, Master Coordinator, Japan

Before Joining Impact in 2002 I worked as an outdoor guide for nature tourism, kayaking and trekking in the ocean and forest. Using this experience, my strengths are in creating and coordinating programmes that provide learning experiences through outdoor activities. Beyond this role I wear several different hats, such as managing our website and managing H&S. Personally, I love to do challenging journeys by sea kayak and bike in many countries.

Clive Barrow
New Zealand
Clive Barrow
Consultant, New Zealand

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!