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The people behind the standard.

IFNLP represents the first truly international, representative body for NLP professionals — a board of six practitioners spanning every continent, united by one mission.

Our Story

Built by practitioners, for the profession.

Our team comprises passionate NLP professionals representing all continents, who determined it was time to make a difference — building on proven methodologies while shaping NLP's future. Together the board carries more than 110 years of combined experience in coaching, training, hypnosis and personal development.

IFNLP exists to be both inclusive and exclusive: open to every genuine practitioner willing to be held to a standard, and rigorous enough that the standard actually means something.

Video Founding story / board introduction film
“Our job is to get people to use the best of themselves to get better, to improve.”
John Grinder, Co‑Founder of NLP
The Board

Six voices, one standard.

Every board member brings a distinct path into NLP — and a shared commitment to the people who will carry this discipline forward.

Simon Gledhill

Simon Gledhill

Founding Member

Discovered NLP's transformative power while working as an Account Director in direct marketing. Believes individuals shape outcomes far beyond themselves through thought-driven action — living out a “#Give-A-Damn” ethos with his team, with a personal goal of contributing more to the world than he takes from it.

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Angela Lightfoot

Angela Lightfoot

Board Member

A Happiness Life Coach with over 20 years in coaching and personal development. Guided by relationships, spirituality and nature, Angela uses NLP tools to help people discover purpose, embrace self-empowerment and unlock potential for meaningful impact.

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Varadapa "Vivi" Thidalapat

Varadapa “Vivi” Thidalapat

Co-Founder & Master Trainer

Co-founded IFNLP alongside Simon Gledhill after a career guiding people through major organisational change sparked her move into NLP, psycholinguistics and hypnotherapy. Built Thailand's Life Lab Online Project and founded what is now the Thai Psycholinguistics Association.

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Anita Saldana

Anita Saldana

Board Member

Completed trainer certifications in NLP, hypnosis, coaching and timeline techniques in 2008. Driven to help individuals overcome trauma, improve communication and escape limiting thoughts — and joined IFNLP for its ethical community and shared commitment to human well-being.

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George Lee

George Lee

Board Member

Military-trained, with determination and discipline at his core. Believes proper education empowers people to take charge of their circumstances, and that everyone can be inspired and transformed through appropriate training and quality education.

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Camelia Paduraru

Camelia Paduraru

Board Member

Over 15 years in NLP, focused on teaching, coaching, research and community-building rooted in kindness and shared purpose. Envisions a global NLP network where people learn collaboratively, create impact, and elevate the discipline's recognition worldwide.

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