Eric Epstein, President. Prior to founding Global Impact Productions in 2001, Eric held key marketing and logistics positions with the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day in New York, the Boston-New York AIDS Ride and the Texas AIDS Ride. Before that, he taught science in Brooklyn for eight years. He earned his M.B.A. in Marketing from the Stern School of Business at New York University. An avid runner, Eric has completed five New York City marathons. On weekends, this Delaware native can be found with his seat on the bike or his hands in the garden.
Emilie Enciso, Director of Operations. Emilie has worked with organizations across the country supporting their fundraising and programming efforts. Working for nonprofit organizations such as United Way of Westchester, Best Buddies and the Tommie Cares Foundation, Emilie has learned how to educate and motivate event participants to become star fundraisers. She has also successfully built and cultivated sponsorship programs. A music enthusiast, in her spare time Emilie can be found attending Broadway shows, concerts, or simply plugged into her headphones.
Jesse Pasackow, Logistics Coordinator. Jesse comes to us after over a decade working at AIDS Walk New York and other AIDS walks nationally. He helped found the walk team The Candywrappers, who have raised tens of thousands of dollars for HIV/AIDS services. Jesse has cultivated a particular affinity for volunteer crew management and has quickly become the company’s point person on all things Crew.
L’Oreal Major, Participant Coach. L’Oreal brings a strong communications background to the Global Impact team. She has worked both in front of the camera and behind it, in television news and social media. L’Oreal doesn’t let her Miami upbringing get in the way of considering herself a true New Yorker. She brings a passion for cause-related marketing to Global Impact’s events.
Blake Strasser, Consultant. Blake joined Global Impact in 2003 to share her passion for cycling – and for supporting great causes. She was previously a staff member on the Northeast AIDS Ride, and has been a rider (and fundraiser) herself in over 20 AIDS rides and suicide-prevention walks, so she knows how to get past the fear of training and raising money. Her previous life in theater means she can also fake it when necessary. Blake’s claim to fame came early: At age 4, she sat on Mae West’s lap and, in her only fit of stage fright, threw up on her. Originally from Colorado, Blake knows a thing or two about the great outdoors, and will proudly share her Ironman tattoo to prove it.
Lucy Biblow, Production Assistant. A native of Long Island, Lucy finds herself drawn to the city every summer, bringing a young and fresh perspective to the Global Impact team. She is currently a student at Baruch College, majoring in political science. Lucy began her time at Global Impact in 2018 as an intern, and aids the team in all things logistics. When she’s not in the office, Lucy can be found sitting in Long Island traffic in her beloved 4Runner.
Tyler Timken, Productioneer. Global Impact's resident Jersey Boy, Tyler has worked in logistics on a variety of non-profit events in the New York City area prior to joining us. He has a major in Entertainment Marketing from Saint Joseph's University and a passion for music.
Tom Dwyer, Productioneer. Tom first took part in a Global Impact event in 2003. This longtime theater and events specialist is a veteran of the events department of Macy's and William Paterson University, among many storied institutions. A former actor, Tom won acclaim off-Broadway in the cast of Nunsense A-men.
Gant Johnson, Productioneer. Gant has been part of the Global Impact family for fifteen years as a longtime BRAKING AIDS® Rider. More recently, he began volunteering to support our events as well, and since 2021 has worked with us as a Productioneer. Gant has professional experience at several bike shops. He is also a legendary New York DJ, and hosts a long-running club party in Brooklyn, as well as a weekly streaming radio show, Yes She Did.
Schawannah Wright, Productioneer. Schawannah is a community engagement strategist, utilizing cultural arts as a vehicle to generate and facilitate engagement initiatives that foster dialogue and understanding in our multicultural communities. She presented the BAM Black Comix Expo at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. As Community Involvement Manager for the Brooklyn Museum, Schawannah managed the West Indian American Day Carnival programs, and has served on the selection committee for the Reel Sisters Film Festival and a focus roundtable with the Tenement Museum on an African American Walking Tour.
Sebastian Hound, Office Manager. Hailing from South Carolina, Sebastian keeps our staff in check. Quick on his feet, he deals with door-to-door salesmen efficiently yet with grace. He is gracious and eager to please, keeping visitors entertained as they wait for meetings. Sebastian is also an exceptional chewer.