About Us
Strategic Talent. Lasting Impact.
Our Mission
At Brainpower 360, we connect visionary organizations with the executive talent as well as the mid- to senior level professionals they need to innovate, grow, and excel in their industries.
Our mission is simple: to identify and place leaders and professionals who drive transformation and to serve as a trusted partner in building exceptional teams that deliver long-term impact.
Who we are
Brainpower 360 specializes in executive and mid-to senior level professional recruitment for forward-thinking organizations across North America and beyond.
➜ We place transformational leaders and professionals who inspire innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.
➜ We deliver a high-touch, discreet, and culture-driven executive search process built on trust.
➜ We strengthen organizations not only through recruitment but also by aligning leadership development via our sister brand, Catalyst Leadership 360.
The result: clients secure leaders who deliver measurable outcomes, and candidates find opportunities where their skills, values, and vision align.
History
1998 – IPN Brainpower: Founded in Germany, establishing a reputation for precision, integrity, and excellence in professional talent and executive search.
2010 – Brainpower 360 (Canada): Vancouver office opened by Ralf Holzapfel, introducing European standards of quality and discretion to North America.
Today – Brainpower 360: A talent and leadership firm delivering executive search, professional talent search, and leadership development as part of the integrated Brainpower 360 ecosystem.
Our Distinct Approach
● Decades of Experience: 25+ years of international executive and professional recruitment services.
● Global Perspective, Local Focus: European precision combined with North American agility.
● Integrated Support: Through Catalyst Leadership 360, we ensure leadership continuity beyond placement.
● Vision-Aligned Hiring: Every leader is vetted for cultural fit, impact potential, and strategic alignment.
Through this transformative process, we help leaders and teams uncover deeper insights, challenge limiting patterns, and develop skills that foster growth and success. We are committed to creating a supportive environment where executives and teams can explore innovative solutions and bring meaningful change into their organizations.
Our Core Beliefs:
- Leadership begins within: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are foundational to inspiring trust and leading effectively.
- The power of experience: Hands-on, experiential learning fosters deeper understanding and long-lasting change.
- The wisdom of horses: Horses provide honest, immediate feedback, helping leaders recognize their impact and refine their approach.
- Authenticity matters: Genuine leadership builds trust, connection, and sustainable success.
- Collaboration drives growth: Strong teams thrive on trust, alignment, and shared purpose.
- Sustainability in leadership: Lessons learned with us are designed to create lasting impact in daily professional life.
At Catalyst Leadership 360, we don’t just teach leadership; we transform how it’s practiced.
The People Behind Brainpower 360
Ralf Holzapfel, CEO
Ralf has been at the forefront of professional talent and executive search solutions since the early days of IPN Brainpower in Germany. In 2010, he founded Brainpower 360 in Vancouver in response to growing demand for executive and professional talent/ leadership recruitment.
Known for his strategic mindset, calm leadership style, and long-term approach, Ralf serves as a trusted advisor to organizations seeking leaders and professionals who deliver impact beyond the role itself. His vision: connecting companies with leaders and professionals who advance innovation, culture, and growth.
Corina Holzapfel, Client Manager
Corina leads client engagement and strategic growth for Brainpower 360, working closely with organizations to understand their leadership and talent needs and connect them with the firm’s executive and professional search capabilities.
With more than 20 years of experience across client-facing, service, and advisory roles, Corina brings a strong relational mindset and a deep understanding of what organizations require to build aligned, high-performing teams. She is known for her ability to cultivate trusted partnerships, identify emerging opportunities, and translate complex talent needs into thoughtful, well-matched search mandates.
In her role, Corina focuses on developing new client relationships, guiding organizations through the early stages of engagement, and ensuring a strong strategic fit between clients, candidates, and the broader Brainpower 360 ecosystem.
Leadership
Ralf Holzapfel — Founder, CatalystTalent360
Ralf has been part of the IPN Brainpower story since its beginnings in Germany. In 2010, he expanded the firm’s reach by founding Brainpower 360 in Vancouver. Recognizing the increasing demand for senior-level, high-impact recruitment, Ralf launched CatalystTalent360 as a specialized partner dedicated to executive and senior technical search.
Known for his strategic mindset, calm leadership style, and commitment to long-term partnerships, Ralf is a trusted advisor to organizations seeking exceptional leadership talent. His vision is clear: to connect companies with leaders who move the needle — not just fill the role.
Corina Holzapfel
Corina Holzapfel is a seasoned professional in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and experiential learning, with a strong foundation in positive psychology and mindfulness practices. She brings a wealth of expertise in natural health and resilience training, which she seamlessly integrates into her approach to executive coaching.
Corina combines her deep knowledge of leadership coaching, somatic practices, emotional regulation, and resilience to create transformative, high-impact experiences for executives and teams. Her coaching is designed to help leaders achieve clarity, build trust, and lead authentically, aligning personal values with professional goals.
Her passion lies in empowering leaders to reach their full potential while fostering trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence within their teams, creating lasting organizational impact.
Corina Holzapfel
Corina Holzapfel is an experienced professional in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and experiential learning, with a strong foundation in positive psychology and mindfulness practices. She brings a wealth of expertise in natural health and resilience training, which she seamlessly integrates into her approach to executive coaching.
Corina combines her deep knowledge of leadership coaching, somatic practices, emotional regulation, and equine behaviour to create transformative, high-impact experiences for executives and teams. Her coaching is designed to help leaders achieve clarity, build trust, and lead authentically, aligning personal values with professional goals.
Her passion lies in empowering leaders to reach their full potential while fostering trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence within their teams, creating lasting organizational impact.
Meet Our Founders
Ralf Holzapfel
Ralf Holzapfel is a seasoned executive and leadership coach with decades of experience as an executive leader in large-scale organizations. Throughout his career, he has successfully driven strategic alignment, enhanced communication, and strengthened team dynamics, bringing practical insights and real-world solutions to leadership challenges.
As a Maslow-Certified Leadership Coach and a Certified Executive Culture Coach, Ralf uses his wealth of experience and creative strategies to guide leaders toward profound self-awareness and success. His dynamic approach is deeply rooted in emotional intelligence, communication, and strategic thinking, enabling leaders to unlock their full potential and lead with confidence.
Ralf’s insights into leadership and self-awareness are captured in his 2023 book, Know Thyself – A Revolutionary Approach for Self-Awareness and Leadership Success. Through this book and his coaching, Ralf offers leaders actionable tools and frameworks to achieve sustainable growth and transformational leadership.
Ralf’s coaching style is as engaging as it is effective—infusing warmth, creativity, and innovation into every session. His approach ensures that executives are empowered to address immediate challenges and equipped to create long-term, meaningful impacts within their teams and organizations.
Corina Holzapfel
Corina Holzapfel is a seasoned professional in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and experiential learning, with a strong foundation in positive psychology and mindfulness practices. She brings a wealth of expertise in natural health and resilience training, which she seamlessly integrates into her approach to executive coaching.
Corina combines her deep knowledge of leadership coaching, somatic practices, emotional regulation, and resilience to create transformative, high-impact experiences for executives and teams. Her coaching is designed to help leaders achieve clarity, build trust, and lead authentically, aligning personal values with professional goals.
Her passion lies in empowering leaders to reach their full potential while fostering trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence within their teams, creating lasting organizational impact.
Corina Holzapfel
Corina Holzapfel is an experienced professional in leadership development, emotional intelligence, and experiential learning, with a strong foundation in positive psychology and mindfulness practices. She brings a wealth of expertise in natural health and resilience training, which she seamlessly integrates into her approach to executive coaching.
Corina combines her deep knowledge of leadership coaching, somatic practices, emotional regulation, and equine behaviour to create transformative, high-impact experiences for executives and teams. Her coaching is designed to help leaders achieve clarity, build trust, and lead authentically, aligning personal values with professional goals.
Her passion lies in empowering leaders to reach their full potential while fostering trust, collaboration, and emotional intelligence within their teams, creating lasting organizational impact.
Why Choose an Equine-Assisted Leadership and Team Development Workshop for Your Management Team?
Equine-assisted leadership and team development workshops provide a transformative experience for management teams looking to overcome challenges, strengthen collaboration, and elevate performance. These hands-on sessions offer potent insights into team dynamics, trust-building, and effective communication, all while fostering deeper connections among team members.
By working with horses, participants receive immediate, honest feedback, helping them identify and address behaviours that impact team cohesion and productivity. The outcome is a more cohesive, aligned, and high-performing management team equipped to drive organizational success.
Benefits for Your Management Team:
- Build Trust and Connection: Strengthen relationships by addressing underlying trust issues and fostering open, authentic communication.
- Enhance Communication Skills: Master clear and effective communication to reduce misunderstandings and promote collaboration.
- Resolve Conflict Productively: Gain practical tools to navigate disagreements and create a healthier, more dynamic team environment.
- Strengthen Leadership Alignment: Align your management team with organizational goals and values to drive unified action.
- Improve Team Dynamics: Address challenges that hinder collaboration, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared purpose.
- Achieve Long-Lasting Results: Integrate the lessons from the workshop into daily operations for sustained impact
Equine-assisted leadership training is a unique and powerful way to develop leadership skills, foster team alignment, and achieve meaningful, long-term success.
Why Choose an Equine-Assisted Leadership and Team Development Workshop for Your Management Team?
Equine-assisted leadership and team development workshops provide a transformative experience for management teams looking to overcome challenges, strengthen collaboration, and elevate performance. These hands-on sessions offer potent insights into team dynamics, trust-building, and effective communication, all while fostering deeper connections among team members.
By working with horses, participants receive immediate, honest feedback, helping them identify and address behaviours that impact team cohesion and productivity. The outcome is a more cohesive, aligned, and high-performing management team equipped to drive organizational success.
Benefits for Your Management Team:
Build Trust and Connection
Strengthen relationships by addressing underlying trust issues and fostering open, authentic communication.
Enhance Communication Skills
Master clear and effective communication to reduce misunderstandings and promote collaboration.
Resolve Conflict Productively
Gain practical tools to navigate disagreements and create a healthier, more dynamic team environment.
Strengthen Leadership Alignment
Align your management team with organizational goals and values to drive unified action.
Improve Team Dynamics
Address challenges that hinder collaboration, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared purpose.
Achieve Long-Lasting Results
Integrate the lessons from the workshop into daily operations for sustained impact.
Equine-assisted leadership training is a unique and powerful way to develop leadership skills, foster team alignment, and achieve meaningful, long-term success.
Ready to Strengthen Your Organization with Transformational Leaders and Professionals?
Harness the expertise of Brainpower 360 to connect with executives and professional talent who drive innovation and resilience. Build exceptional teams that deliver long-term impact and align with your future vision.