Mike Lepper, '09: Consistency Yields Success for Impact CEO
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Mike Lepper, '09, former Huskie Football student-athlete, learned that hard work and consistency pay off. (Photo: Impact Networking)
Impact Networking CEO and Partner Mike Lepper, ’09, was never given anything; he always had to earn it.
“We are ordinary people aiming to achieve extraordinary things,” he said.
Lepper grew up in Oak Lawn, Illinois, with loving parents who raised him fairly but pushed him and his two siblings, Karrie and Matt, to be their best. He grew competitive and learned to work hard and persevere even when the odds were stacked against him.
“My upbringing instilled in me a desire to always strive for the best version of myself,” he said. “I thrive on winning and love being part of a team that shares common goals and values.”
Lepper played football in high school and competitively with Pop-Warner Youth Football. He learned to show up always prepared to be his best.
He came to NIU to learn about business and earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational and corporate communications while also being a Huskie Football student-athlete. He says he developed mental strength and resilience at NIU, which helped him learn how to navigate challenges and emerge stronger.
“Being a student-athlete at NIU was an unbelievable experience. I worked hard, but it was all worth it,” he said. “If it wasn’t for NIU, I’m not sure I would be where I am today. Coaches like Joe Novak, P.J. Fleck and Jerry Kill had a profound impact on my life. I am forever grateful for the opportunity, as it helped shape me into who I am today.”
With great memories of playing football at some of the best stadiums in the country in front of huge crowds, Lepper graduated and took his competitiveness to sales, first selling an energy drink. After a few short months, he joined Impact Networking, or “Impact,” as a senior sales representative. He has since worked his way up at Impact, earning partner, and in January 2025, he became CEO.
Founded in 1999, Impact was built on the foundation of partnerships. Today, with approximately 900 employees, it’s their mission to leverage those partnerships to become the world’s largest managed service provider by connecting technology, processes, strategy and branding to elevate data and analytics and transparency for their customers.
“My journey over the last 15 years has been characterized by substantial growth, and while each role has contributed to my development, it is the employees I’ve worked with who have shaped me the most,” Lepper said. “My greatest accomplishments are seeing the people I work with succeed.”
Lepper said he was surprised to discover that success was not as hard as it seemed.
“You just have to be consistent and willing to put in the work,” he said. “My time at NIU taught me the value of earning what you achieve. NIU taught me ‘The Hard Way.’”
His family relationships also play a significant role.
“My wife, Amy, and our two children, son, Rocky, and daughter, Madi, are part of my success,” he said. "Their love and support fuel my days, and I am so grateful. I also have phenomenal relationships with my siblings.”
Lepper gives this advice to students and recent graduates:
“Love what you do and never work a day in your life. Treat people fairly, not equally. Remove emotion from business decisions. Never ask someone to do anything you aren’t willing to do yourself. Carry the Huskie Spirit with pride—after all, once a Huskie, always a Huskie!”