Meet the core team:

– Sarah Lalaz –
Founder
Sarah Lalaz is a trained educator and counsellor and is currently employed at the International School of Geneva (Ecolint) where she has worked for the last 10 years.

– Paula Powell –
Founder

– Danny Daly –
Organizer

– Naja Brooks –
Organizer
She was quick to accept the opportunity to be part of the Football4Impact project, as she wants all children to be able to experience the joy and memories that football has given her. The opportunity to travel and meet knew people is also amongst the things that initially attracted her to this project.

– Leonie Schemionek –
Organizer
Leonie Schemionek was born in Germany and has since lived in various countries. She started playing football at 5 years old and since then it has been a huge part of her life.

– Cara Bowley –
Organizer
Cara loves this project because it uses kids love of football to bring them together from around the world and helps them connect with one another.
She thinks it is so cool that football can be used in such an impactful way, to bring people together and form meaningful relationships between people that would never have been able to otherwise.

– Kevin Werner –
Organizer

– Harry Noonan –
Organizer

– Orla Harrison –
Organizer
Orla Harrison was born in London but has grown up in Switzerland most of her life. since moving to Switzerland, football has been at the centre of her life. Orla has been at the International School of Geneva for 13 years now.
Orla loves this project because it connects people from around the world through the mutual love for the game. Orla loves that she can make connections through the game she loves so passionately. It amazes her that she can use the game to meet new people and make new connections.
BSIX College

– Stevland Angus –
Bsix College
Angus was born in Westminster in 1980 and began his career as a trainee with West Ham United, featuring in their 1999 FA Youth Cup win, and turning professional in August 1999.[2] He was on the bench as West Ham won the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup.[3] In need of first team experience, Angus joined League Two side AFC Bournemouth on loan in August 2000, making his league debut on 12 August 2000 in a 1–1 draw away to Bristol Rovers.[2][4] He returned to West Ham after two months having made nine appearances for Bournemouth, but failed to break into the first team and was released at the end of the 2000–01 season.
Youth Unity CIC

– Paul McKenzie –
Youth Unity CIC
Paul is a dynamic Youth Professional, Videographer, and Public Speaker who has dedicated the past twenty-five years to positively impacting the lives of countless individuals.
With an unwavering commitment to working with young people from diverse backgrounds, Paul has curated a series of engaging workshops and compelling talks that directly address the challenges facing today’s youth. These thought-provoking sessions delve into crucial topics, empowering young individuals to navigate and overcome obstacles prevalent in our society.

– Shirley Jackson –
Youth Unity CIC
Shirley, is the MD for Youth Unity, who oversees and manages all aspects of Youth Unity’s operations. With her extensive experience, she expertly handles project management for the majority of our initiatives, ensuring their smooth execution.
In addition to her operational role, Shirley plays an integral part in the overall functioning of Youth Unity. With a wealth of knowledge accumulated over twenty-five years in marketing and branding, she has collaborated with renowned artists, agencies, and non-profit organisations worldwide. Shirley’s expertise also extends to event management, making her a versatile professional who brings a diverse range of skills and experiences to our company and the young people we serve.

– James Hensmen –
Youth Unity CIC
James, is the Head of Strategic Planning for Youth Unity CIC, he plays a vital role in delivering frontline training, support, and intervention services to combat gangs, county-lines, and organised crime.
James is driven by a deep passion for enabling quality improvement and providing support to vulnerable cohorts at risk of gang-related activity. He thrives on working across diverse communities, forging purposeful multi-agency partnerships that enhance outcomes for those in need. Prior to his current role, James served as a Police officer responsible for coordinating knife crime prevention operations in collaboration with other statutory services. His experience also encompasses strategic planning for addressing gang-related issues and serious organised crime.