Dr. Ramón A. Pastrano

With over 25 years of experience in leadership among many different cultures around the world, Dr. Ramón A. Pastrano founded ImpactLives in 2007 to create a dual model of transformational leadership and social innovation. His model is designed to teach and optimize service learning experiences, transformational leadership, development, and global competencies, which leads to social innovation and produces sustainable works of social justice. As CEO and president, Ramón inspires and leads the ImpactLives team to achieve greatness, aspiring to the highest standards. Additionally, he promotes diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness to help individuals reflect and strengthen their identity, wisdom, and maturity—transforming people and communities one life at a time.

Ramón’s global experience is vast. He has lived in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and has traveled extensively for humanitarian efforts throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel, Jordan, India, Palestine, Africa, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Korea, China, Cambodia, Thailand, and Japan. As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Supply Corps School, Ramón served as a commanding officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa; his Master of Arts in Theological Studies; and his Doctorate in Global and Contextual Leadership from Bethel University and Seminary in St Paul, Minn.

Ramón’s vision and expertise is broad and includes: business development, strategic planning, organizational and transformational leadership, marketing, and sales. Prior to creating ImpactLives, Ramón spent 15 years as a surgical consultant and medical device specialist. He has received recognition from Pfizer, Medtronic, and Warner-Lambert, and is the recipient of the Doctor Act Award presented by TRANS4M Council for Research and Innovation in Switzerland. This award is given in recognition for outstanding achievement in social innovation. He is also the recipient of the William A. Fretwell Memorial Thesis Award, awarded to the Doctor of Ministry graduate with a thesis project that exemplifies quality research, academic writing, practical application, and transformational impact on society.

In 2014, Ramón was named the Outstanding Community Leader by Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY), honoring his work to inspire young people to make a difference and become catalysts for positive change in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.