Lead Instructors |
Suited Instructors
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AC
AC is a certified Rape Prevention and Self Defense Instructor with the American Women’s Self Defense Association, and has worked internationally with Peak Potentials and Success Resources, assisting and leading motivational camps that incorporate martial arts and non-verbal tactics to de-escalate and/or end conflicts without compromising one’s safety or integrity of self (2013-present). In addition to serving as the Instructor Coordinator for IMPACT Chicago, he is a Specialist-level personal trainer with Chicago Athletic Clubs, a health/wellness coach with WellPower Coaching, a professional actor, and a member of Not In Our House: Chicago, an organization created to combat sexual harassment and unbecoming conduct within the Chicago theatre community (2015-present). "In addition to preventing incidents of sexual assault, IMPACT empowers individuals, allowing them to establish firm boundaries and belief in themselves. Empowered people pave the way for future empowered people, creating a more cohesive and equitable society, work force, etc." - AC Ben Ben's background is in wrestling (folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco Roman), MMA, Jiu-Jitsu, and other martial arts. He also bounced in bars for 17 years. He started with IMPACT Chicago in 2004, and became an IMPACT:Ability Instructor in 2017. "Why do I keep working with IMPACT after so long? Watching women discover how strong they actually are is the most amazing thing I've ever been a part of." – Ben |
Rob
Rob has been an IMPACT instructor since January 1999 and is also an Instructor Trainer. He became an IMPACT:Ability Instructor in 2017. After moving to Chicago in 1995, he became involved in rape-prevention training as well as awareness, outreach, and education, working with Rape Victim Advocates and student groups on college campuses. He really enjoys working with and teaching women's self-defense, particularly in the areas of violence demystification and boundary setting. s. Vic Vic is a Violence Designer (read: Fight Choreographer) in the Chicago Theatre community, and has been designing fights and teaching actors physical skills since 2010. He also has a traditional martial arts background, with a focus on a variety of striking arts. Vic has recently joined IMPACT Chicago as a suited instructor-in-training, and is excited to be a part of this incredible team. "I am grateful for the opportunity to take my particular skill set and apply them in such a positive and empowering way. It is and always will be an honor to play a role in other people’s discovery of their own strength." - Vic |
Retired Suited Instructors
*Still Active in IMPACT Chicago Bruce Brio* Joe Connelly (Founder, Chicago Model Mugging) Brian Kerr Mike Kratoska Marcus Martin Mark Nessel (Instructor Trainer)* Ken Olson Steve Rehrauer Clay Sabourin Bill Stobierski Bruce Walker Nat Wilson* |
Workshop Leaders
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Amy
Amy took her first class with IMPACT Chicago in 2017, and began volunteering as a Class Assistant and a "What is IMPACT" facilitator shortly thereafter. She currently serves on the Admin Team as the Registration and Workshop Coordinator. A graduate of Northwestern University's School of Speech (and a proud alumnus of NU's fencing team), she has been active in Chicago's theater and stage combat community for over 20 years, including 15 years as an ensemble member with Babes With Blades Theatre Company. She is a Director of Education at PDH Academy, and is also studying aerial arts. "I'm passionate about combining the voice and the body to connect with personal power, and IMPACT provides one of the best thought-out, no-nonsense, direct ways of doing so that I’ve ever encountered." - Amy |
Deb
Deb is a flight attendant for American Airlines and a licensed clinical social worker. She enjoys travel & helping others both on the ground and in the air. Other interests: scuba diving, martial arts, and running crazy relay races with other like-minded people (all hobbies she was able to fully embrace due to her IMPACT experience). She is a Class Assistant and later joined the board and has since been trained as a "What is IMPACT" facilitator as well as a 60 and 90 minute workshop facilitator. Recently Deb has been trained as an IMPACT:Ability instructor and looks forward to adding this important program that teaches empowerment self-defense to individuals with disabilities to IMPACT Chicago's offerings. "I was so (literally) impacted by my experience of my first IMPACT class in 2011 that I quickly dove in to volunteering as a class assistant and I haven't looked back." - Deb |
Lisa
Lisa has been involved with IMPACT Chicago since the early 90s in a variety of capacities including as a class assistant, mat mover, fund drive chair, and "What is IMPACT" facilitator. She currently serves on the Board of Directors. In her free time, she works as a professor at Dominican University. “Taking an empowerment-based self-defense course truly gave me a sense of freedom that positively shaped my life. It is a privilege to see IMPACT participants tap into their power and strength through this work. And… I love to hear the big “Yes” at the end of so many of our programs.” - Lisa |