Marisa Rivera

Marisa Rivera is an award-winning motivational speaker and CEO of Mpowerment Works. She has over 30 years of experience in leadership and staff development, executive coaching, women’s empowerment, educational training, and international work in over 15 countries. Marisa provides dynamic keynote presentations and innovative programs designed to empower individuals and teams to impact global change.

Marisa Rivera is a social entrepreneur. She produced an educational video, Latina Voices: Leadership Journeys showcasing Latina leaders sharing their secrets to success. Her extensive work experience in the nonprofit, government, and private sectors has always been used to resolve justice and equality issues facing the world today.

Before starting Mpowerment Works, Ms. Rivera was President of the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI), the top leadership program for Latinas in the country. Before leading NHLI, Ms. Rivera worked in higher education as the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Community Relations at Black Hawk College in Illinois and at Western Illinois University managing the Hispanic Program for Educational Advancement as well as the Learning to Lead Program for Hispanic students.

Her work experience also includes several assignments overseas, including working for the U.S. Information Agency, the U.S. Embassy in Panama, and as a consultant in organizational development in Spain. She has been invited as a U.S. State Department speaker to Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Curaçao, and Paraguay; and teleconferencing on programs on women’s empowerment in Bolivia. She served as an international election observer in Honduras. Ms. Rivera has also participated in a fellowship to Israel and Puerto Rico with the American Jewish Committee and Project Interchange. She traveled to Africa to work with Women’s groups in Kenya and Rwanda as a Board member of the World Pulse Organization.

Ms. Rivera is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from American University and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Western Illinois University. She is also a graduate of the Harvard University JFK School of Government Executive Program, the Center for Creative Leadership Institute, the Gallup StrengthsFinder Coaching Program, the Gallup Leadership Institute, the Empowerment Institute, the HACR Harvard Business Executive Program on Corporate Governance, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, USF certificate program.

She is the recipient of many awards including, the Cesar Chavez Community Service Award given by the US Hispanic Leadership Institute, The Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Latina Style Magazine, and the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century by Women’s eNews.

Ms. Rivera is a dynamic keynote speaker who will energize your audience and inspire them to achieve their dreams. She is a strong advocate for Latina leadership, youth empowerment, women's entrepreneurship, and global activism.