My Story

Born in London back in the late 60s I was sent to boarding school at the tender age of 8, one of those ‘proper’ English institutions, and as a child I remember feeling isolated and alone. In the constant search for love, I became a lovable troublemaker and ended up failing everything at school!

My first job was as a dishwasher in a ski resort in Switzerland at 17, and I quickly became a seasonal worker in the mountains in the winter, and on the beaches in Cannes in the summer. Needing to make a change I landed myself a job as a runner at the Cannes film festival at the age of 20.

This was the start of an 8-year career making documentaries for Channel 4 and the BBC. The last two years of documentary making was so special - I worked on a film for the BBC about African elephants and travelled all over the mother continent filming these extraordinary animals. And around the same time I attended a djembe workshop.....my love affair with Africa began.

In 1998 I packed in my job and a new life began. I travelled to West Africa to study the djembe. My experiences during this first study trip literally changed my life. I finally felt connected. And since then I have been helping individuals and organisations foster connection between their people.

Stronger Together

After extensive travels throughout Africa, I have come to the realization that despite the technological advances that aim to bring us together, we are becoming increasingly polarized and divided.

In this world with cultural, political and societal challenges, opportunities for connection and shared transformation still exist. Opportunities where new ideas meet stagnant situations can lead to both internal and external change. What began as a corporate leadership workshop aimed at bringing people together soon grew to bigger stages with thousands of people, like Oprah’s SuperSoul Sessions and TED Talks around the world.

I have adapted a unique approach across all areas of corporate, personal, and communal life. From live shows to online programs, workshops, corporate retreats and non-profit initiatives, I have proved that through the power of true collaboration, we are able to uncover transformative solutions on a micro and macro scale.

I believe that tomorrow’s solutions are just a conversation away. That sustainable progress is achieved through empathy and working together. That powerful emotional connections can break down traditional boundaries and divides. Progress is possible. Change is happening. And together we can build a culture of true collaboration for a better tomorrow.

Join us!

Doug Manuel
Executive Director, Founder

Impact Stories