Monica M. Rivera

Monica M. Rivera is a Latina keynote speaker, personal branding strategist, and communications expert whose work focuses on visibility, leadership, and authentic storytelling. As a first-generation Latina from the Bronx, New York, Rivera draws on her personal journey of overcoming adversity to empower individuals to master their mindsets and embrace their values. She brings more than two decades of experience at companies including Citi, Deloitte, Verizon, and SAP.

Rivera is the founder of "YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!," a personal branding coaching consultancy that supports business professionals in becoming thought leaders. The consultancy offers keynote speaking, training, workshops, and one-on-one coaching for mid-career professionals, founders, and solopreneurs. Her signature private coaching program, "In Plain Sight," is designed for professionals seeking recognition for their contributions without relying on self-promotion or burnout.

Her expertise includes preparing clients for public speaking opportunities and supporting founders in winning pitch competitions, where her guidance has helped secure significant funding. Rivera has delivered talks at more than 100 organizations, including TEDx, NPR, and The New York Times. Her TEDx talk, "The Flipside of Loneliness," marked a pivotal moment in her career, expanding her client base and validating her approach to personal branding and connection.

Rivera's work has been recognized in publications such as Business Insider, O Magazine, and NPR. Her podcast, also titled "YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!," reaches listeners in more than 120 countries. Through the podcast, Rivera shares her experiences as a first-generation Latina navigating the corporate world and establishing herself as a thought leader, with speaking engagements for organizations including TEDx, The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and Podcast Movement.

With over 20 years in corporate marketing, Rivera addresses topics such as workplace culture, employee experience, and generational diversity, with a focus on Gen-Z integration. Her philosophy centers on the idea that personal branding is about communicating value with clarity and confidence, and that visibility is a leadership skill. Having often been the only Latina and woman in professional settings, Rivera has leveraged her strengths and unique value proposition to build a foundation for her work, providing guidance for professionals seeking to own their stories and lead with authenticity.