Impact Learning Institute: Shaping Future Leaders in Sports, Entertainment, and Media

The Impact Learning Institute (ILI) stands as a bridge between education and employment, particularly for individuals aspiring to careers in the dynamic sports, entertainment, and media industries. Through a combination of immersive programs, expert mentorship, and real-world experiences, ILI equips students and early-career professionals with the tools and connections necessary to thrive in these competitive fields.

Bridging the Gap: Professional Development Programs

ILI offers a variety of programs tailored to different needs and preferences:

New York City Professional Development Program: This intensive two-week program provides students with unparalleled access to prominent organizations in the sports, entertainment, and media industries within the "Big Apple." Participants engage in extensive experiences, gaining invaluable insights and establishing connections that can jumpstart their careers. The 2026 program is scheduled for June 8-19.
UCLA Anderson Program: A four-week summer program held at UCLA Anderson School of Management, this program offers a premier educational experience in sunny Southern California. It caters to a wide range of participants, from college freshmen to graduate students and recent graduates, providing them with the opportunity to expand their network and learn how to navigate the complexities of these highly competitive fields. The program also allows students to explore the vibrant city of Los Angeles, with its iconic locations like Santa Monica Beach, West Hollywood, and Disneyland.
Online Experiences: Recognizing the need for flexibility, ILI also offers online programs that allow individuals from around the world to participate in professional development opportunities from the comfort of their own homes. These online experiences maintain a high level of engagement and interaction, ensuring that participants receive the same quality of education and mentorship as in-person programs.

Read also: The Brown v. Board Decision

The IMPACT Experience: A Holistic Approach

The IMPACT experience is designed to be transformative, seamlessly blending education, experiential learning, professional opportunities, and entertainment into a one-of-a-kind program. This holistic approach ensures that participants not only gain knowledge and skills but also develop the confidence and connections necessary to succeed in their chosen fields.

World-Class Industry Insight

One of the key differentiators of ILI is its access to an unparalleled roster of high-level executives and industry leaders. These professionals serve as speakers, mentors, and instructors, sharing their diverse career paths and providing invaluable insights into the inner workings of the sports, entertainment, and media industries.

Real Access, Real Relationships

ILI emphasizes the importance of building genuine connections within the industry. Participants have the opportunity to meet and interact with professionals in a variety of settings, from formal presentations to informal networking events. This approach fosters real access and facilitates the development of lasting relationships that can prove invaluable throughout their careers.

Experiential Learning

ILI programs incorporate a variety of experiential learning opportunities, allowing participants to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings. These experiences may include site visits to industry-leading organizations, participation in exclusive events, and hands-on projects that simulate the challenges and opportunities of working in the field.

A Legacy of Success: IMPACT Alumni

The success of ILI is evident in the accomplishments of its alumni, who are making their mark in various corners of the sports, entertainment, and media industries. Many alumni have gone on to secure positions at prominent organizations, while others have launched their own successful ventures.

Alumni Spotlights

Sara Schumacher: A Sports & Performance Psychology graduate from Grand Canyon University, Sara is a testament to the transformative power of the IMPACT program.
Farzad-Elhaam: A Seton Hall University MBA graduate, Farzad-Elhaam describes their IMPACT experience as "way more than I could have ever expected," highlighting the meaningful connections and invaluable exposure to industry professionals.
Allyssa: A California Lutheran University graduate, Allyssa emphasizes how the IMPACT experience allowed them to gain a better understanding of themselves and how to break into the industry, while also forging lasting friendships with driven individuals.

Alumni in Action

IMPACT alumni are not just passive observers; they are active participants in shaping the future of the sports, entertainment, and media industries. For example, IMPACT alumni were behind the scenes at the Super Bowl, representing the next generation of leaders on the biggest stage in the world.

The Genesis of IMPACT Learning Institute

The story of ILI is rooted in the passion and experience of its founders, who recognized a need for a more comprehensive and effective approach to professional development in the sports, entertainment, and media industries.

Felisa Israel: From the NBA to Education

Felisa Israel, a key figure in the creation of ILI, brings a wealth of experience from the world of sports and entertainment. During her time with the Phoenix Suns & Mercury, she established Phoenix as a league leader in game presentation and fan experience. Later, as Director of Live Programming & Entertainment for NBA Entertainment, she evaluated all NBA teams on their game presentation and fan experience.

Driven by a passion for creating memorable live moments, Felisa founded her own live event production company, 10 Fold Entertainment, partnering with major names in sports, entertainment, and media. Her experience teaching at UCLA Anderson School of Management sparked the idea for IMPACT Learning Institute, a program designed to further help students aspiring to careers in these industries.

Key Milestones

2017: Felisa began teaching the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Sports class for Summer Discovery at UCLA Anderson.
2019: IMPACT Internship was created in partnership with UCLA Anderson, combining decades of experience, industry insight, and professional relationships. The inaugural year saw students securing paid internships at organizations like the LA Dodgers and Wasserman.
2020-2021: Adapting to the global pandemic, IMPACT shifted programs online, creating interactive and educational virtual experiences. The program evolved into IMPACT Learning Institute, an all-encompassing professional development program.
2022: IMPACT returned to campus with a robust in-person program and a polished online program, combining the best of both worlds.
2023: The IMPACT experience was fully realized with the largest class size, new high-caliber executive mentors and speakers, and more work opportunities offered to students.
2024: IMPACT soared to new heights with a phenomenal group of students participating in the UCLA Anderson Summer Professional Development program.
2025: The first expansion occurred with a successful New York City program in addition to the flagship UCLA Anderson program.
2026: Continued growth is planned, taking the IMPACT experience to more locations around the country.

Key People

The Impact Learning Institute boasts an impressive roster of industry leaders and experienced professionals who contribute to the program's success. These individuals provide invaluable insights, mentorship, and guidance to participants, helping them navigate the complexities of the sports, entertainment, and media industries.

Read also: Education at CU Boulder

Examples of Key People Involved:

Andy Bernstein: Co-Founder & Podcast Host, Legends of Sport | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Sports Photographer.
Angeline Buenaventura: Creative Talent Development Manager, Netflix.
Annie Cornforth: Associate VP, Corporate Partnerships, Childrenâs Hospital Los Angeles.
Brian Fitzsimmons: Vice President, Owned Brands, Barstool Sports.
David Cooper: Owner, MVP Sports Public Relations.
Dawn Wilcox: Vice President, Development, Childrenâs Hospital Los Angeles.
Elisa Padilla: Sports & Entertainment Marketing Executive â New York Red Bulls, Roc Nation, Miami Marlins, Brooklyn Nets, NBA, New York Knicks, AT&T, HBO, and more.
Evan Flagg: Founder, Reach Capacity | Former Executive â AEG, LA Kings, UCLA Athletics, Ontario Reign.
Evan Warner: Partner & Unscripted TV Talent Agent, WME.
Fabiola Torres: Global Chief Marketing Officer, GAP.
Jaime LaBelle: Director, Human Resources, Milk Bar | Former HR Executive â LA Lakers, NBA.
Jay Harris: Journalist & SportsCenter Anchor, ESPN.
Jay Tucker: Executive Director, UCLA Anderson Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports.
Jennifer Lau: Vice President, Action Sports, IMG.
Jennifer Pope: Senior Vice President, Community & Hockey Development, Los Angeles Kings.
Jennifer van Dijk: President, Boston Legacy FC | Former Executive â Wasserman, NBA, Los Angeles Clippers, IMG.
Jimmy Musiker: Executive Director/Owner, Summer Discovery.
Joe Mulvihill: Talent Manager (Boyz II Men, Joey Fatone) & Executive Producer, Film, Music & TV.
Lenny Washington: Marketing Manager, Unrivaled Basketball.
Leonard Armato: Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Management Plus Enterprises.
Lexie King: Co-Founder, IMPACT Learning Institute | Freelance Senior Producer, Peacock Productions, LLC.
Libby Bush: Head of Media & Entertainment Partnerships, CAA.
Mark Francis: Associate Sports Business Professor & Sports Business Graduate Program Manager, University of Oregon | Sports Business Lecturer, UCLA Anderson Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports.
Melanie Wallner: Senior Vice President, Napster Corp.

UCLA Anderson Professional Development Certificate Program

IMPACT is not a class, but rather a non-credit professional development program that prepares students for careers in the Sports, Entertainment, and Media industries. Through this program, hosted by the UCLA Anderson School of Management, students learn how to break into these industries and gain tangible skills.

IMPACT's formula combines professional development training, executive mentorship, experiential learning, and real-world work experience. This, along with access to high-level executives, prepares students for early-stage success and gives them the tools to be the ideal young professional in any work environment.

The in-person program takes advantage of the LA location to take students to visit industry-leading organizations, venues, and exclusive events.

Impact Leadership Institute (ILI): Empowering Employees and Developing Leaders

The Impact Leadership Institute (ILI), founded in 2018, is designed to meet the demands of a dynamic workforce, offering learning and career advancement opportunities in a time of organizational transformation. The ILI utilizes instructional design standards and adult learning theory to provide company-wide experiences for upskilling, training, and performance management, supporting employees' ongoing learning and development.

Core Focuses of ILI

The ILI team strives for eight core focuses:

Build an advanced career progression planning model.
Create structured, defined learning paths.
Create a transparent "skills marketplace" for internal mobility.
Align learning and performance goals to business KPIs.
Advance the standards of professionalism and servant leadership.
Provide moment-of-need support.
Support revenue enablement through sales skill programming, performance programs, technology support, and leadership development.
Provide enriching learning experiences and facilitated sessions.

Instructional Expertise

The ILI's team includes instructional designers, learning strategists, and classroom facilitators focused on providing employees with the tools needed to grow. Analysts focus on learning operations and performance, and administrators manage the learning management system, APEX.

Modalities of Learning

The ILI uses the 70-20-10 model, where 70% of knowledge comes from on-the-job experience, 20% from social learning exposure, and 10% from traditional instruction.

Shoulder-to-Shoulder Field Support: Educational support during job functions allows employees to practice theories with guidance.
Digital Self-Paced Learning: Training support in real-time, with self-enrolled courses, quizzes, and refreshers.
In-Person Learning Experiences: Opportunities to learn from peers and teachers through face-to-face professional development.

Prominent Programming

Employee Onboarding: The ILI's live Foundations course connects new talent to the history and vision of Impact and introduces key teams.
Ongoing Education: Upskilling for career growth, from technical skills to leadership skills, with partnerships with Cisco Meraki, Microsoft Azure, and Adobe. The ILI invests in employee certifications and offers workshops for leaders.
Sales Enablement: Specialized selling experts provide real-time coaching around skills, processes, and technology. An 18-month program advances sellers through experiences focused on sales skills, industry knowledge, and business acumen.
Managed IT Training: The three-day MIT Core course ensures that managed IT specialists understand their role at Impact.

APEX: Impact's Learning Management System

APEX is Impact's learning management system.

tags: #Impact #Learning #Institute #overview