Cathy Cunningham is passionate about helping people. With an education in Psychology from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, Cathy planned to be a counselor. Instead, she became a Realtor, and for many years she put her passion to work helping people realize the dream of home ownership – a “home counselor”. Expanding her experience in sales, she then went on to Management positions in the Staffing Industry, helping find people work – an “employment counselor”.

After several years as a successful entrepreneur and business leader, Cathy decided to start her own company, teaching skills for success in business and life, which included Image Services and Personal Branding. Realizing the limitations of being “self-employed”, Cathy began exploring different business models.

Eventually, Cathy was introduced to a financial services company that resonated with her values and experience. As a Licensed Agent in financial services for several years, Cathy has worked with people from all walks of life. Growing up middle-class, the daughter of a seminary professor and a teacher, she knew the struggles of living on a tight budget. Through her years of helping people get their financial plans together, Cathy did become a counselor after all – a financial counselor.

In October 2008, Cathy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, while not life-threatening, it was life-altering. This life-changing event caused her to deeply reflect on her life’s purpose. She realized that her greatest passion, and life’s purpose, is to educate, inspire and empower people to be able to have freedom, choices, peace of mind, and happiness in all areas of life. IMPACT Success Systems™ was born, followed by the creation of 10 Second IMPACT™ and IMPACT The Money Mastery Game®.

Frustrated with the lack of financial education that exists, IMPACT The Money Mastery Game® became a way to help larger numbers of people learn while having fun. Games can be used as simulations, creating a life-like experience in a pretend environment, much like a simulator for driving or flying. Playing with a group speeds learning and increases retention of information learned.

Cathy felt other games about money seemed to skip fundamental financial principles for making sound decisions, and even encourage the idea of ‘get rich fast and easy’. Cathy thought other games did not include the foundational principles of money. She saw the need for a new game in this new era, for real people. Not hype.