ImpactLives was founded by Dr. Ramón A. Pastrano IV in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He remains the organization's president and CEO while continuing to nourish and develop its national and international model of transformational leadership, service learning, social innovation and works of social justice.

The vision for ImpactLives was rooted in a simple question, "What are you going to do about it?"  Ramón's response came from deeply-held convictions that humanitarian work could be done better; that people could have more effective lives and relationships; and that transformational, rather than transactional, leadership is a better way to lead.

Communities can be transformed, one life at a time, when people find the intersection of what they are good at - what they are passionate about - and where there is a need.

ImpactLives became a 501(c)3 in 2007 and the Board of Directors and Advisors was formalized. After a few years of working out of homes, cars and coffee shops, ImpactLives moved into the current office space in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Staff members have been added to help support the mission and vision in the form of a Chief Learning Officer and Director of Operations, and Finance Manager. For staff bios, click here.

While the activities and form of ImpactLives have changed over the years, the initial passion has remained the same. We believe that if people understand who they are, others around them, and why they do what they do, they will be more effective in all relationships and be inspired to meet human needs through social innovation, social justice and freedom. For more information, email us at