With a goal of touching, moving, and inspiring audiences around the world, I hope to spread a ripple effect of happiness and positivity, thereby encouraging all to pursue their passions and accomplish their goals.
I still remember the nerves and excitement of my first public talk to 500 incoming high school students in San Jose, CA back in 2012. Now, I reflect on my experiences speaking at graduations, conferences, conventions, orientations, cultural nights, classrooms, and auctions to audiences of up to 5,000 people which have each reinforced my passion for public speaking and desire to spread a ripple effect of happiness and positivity!"A positive attitude brings positive results."
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Highlighted Engagements
"We all make mistakes, but the biggest mistake we can make is to not learn from them."
The Foundation for Hispanic Education
The Foundation and I collaborated on how my message could align with their theme and intended impact on their audience. In order to comply with the social distancing guidelines, my talk was virtual yet interactive and engaging as the audience alluded to. Click here for more.
Beaumont School District
Diego spent the day with 250 middle school and high school leadership students as they participated in their first "Leadership Day" conference. He inspired the students to spread a ripple effect of positivity in their schools and then facilitated an activity where students had to collaborate to create an "ideal leader" and then talk about it. Click here for more.
Woodrow Wallace Elementary & Middle School
Diego got to spend the day with the Huskies and Colts! The morning started with an inspirational speech for each school's assembly, then he led the middle school leadership class through a structured goal setting activity, and finally spent the afternoon outside with the kids during recess! Click here for more.
Santa Teresa High School
As a returning speaker at this year's "AcademiCon", Diego asked for classroom-sized audiences so that he could facilitate a more intimate and interactive goal setting activity. Students responded well to Diego's directions and were happy to leave the session with a tangible list of personal objectives and goals to reach their vision. Click here for more.
Saint Mary's College of California
Alongside the President's cabinet, Diego delivered the Convocation Welcome Speech to the incoming class of 2013. As a graduating senior, he encouraged the students to truly enjoy and take advantage of their time at Saint Mary's and inspired them to never hesitate in following their passions. Click here for more.
COPY Highlighted Engagements COPY
"We all make mistakes, but the biggest mistake we can make is to not learn from them."
March 12, 2018 | Woodrow Wallace Elementary & Middle School
Alongside the President's cabinet, I delivered the convocation Welcome Speech to the incoming class of 2013. As a senior, I encouraged the students to truly enjoy and take advantage of their time at Saint Mary's, and to never hesitate in following their passions. I hoped to inspire them to get involved and sustain a positive attitude throughout college.
September 19, 2017 | Hollister School District
Alongside the President's cabinet, I delivered the convocation Welcome Speech to the incoming class of 2013. As a senior, I encouraged the students to truly enjoy and take advantage of their time at Saint Mary's, and to never hesitate in following their passions. I hoped to inspire them to get involved and sustain a positive attitude throughout college.
September 28, 2016 | Santa Teresa High School
As a returning speaker at this year's AcademiCon, I asked for classroom-sized audiences so that I could do an interactive goal setting activity. As well as having a list of SMART goals they could take home, I hope the students were inspired to go home with a positive attitude that will surely guarantee success in high school and beyond.
April 15, 2016 | East Side Union High School District
At the Latino Student Achievement Celebration, I took the opportunity of being the keynote speaker to encourage and inspire students to take pride in their identity and take advantage of the many opportunities that are presented to them throughout high school and use them to set themselves up for success in college and beyond. As a former ESUHSD student myself, I was able to connect well with the students by sharing relatable stories and memoirs.
September 29, 2015 | Edenvale Elementary School
Served as one of the guest speakers who encouraged students to have high goals and dreams for their academic life with a main emphasis on graduating from college. I reflected on the constant support and encouragement I was fortunate enough to receive growing up, and how that helped me follow my passions and concentrate on my studies.
New Student Convocation
August 28, 2015 | Saint Mary's College of California
Alongside the President's cabinet, I delivered the convocation Welcome Speech to the incoming class of 2013. As a senior, I encouraged the students to truly enjoy and take advantage of their time at Saint Mary's, and to never hesitate in following their passions. I hoped to inspire them to get involved and sustain a positive attitude throughout college.
April 11, 2017 | Oak Grove School District
Keynote speaker at Oak Grove School District's Celebration of English Proficiency for students and their families who are now reclassified as proficient in English and maintain their native language at home. As a reclassified student myself, I spoke about the importance of maintaining your native tongue and learning to value being bilingual and bicultural in today's quickly globalizing world.
Clients & Testimonials
"In every day there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact."
Greg Louie
Principal | Santa Teresa High SchoolDiego exudes a confidence and energy that touches everyone within earshot of his message. Whether speaking to our incoming Freshmen or at our AcademiCons, our students are inspired to positively impact others while working to create a campus that is empathetic and supportive. Diego is simply phenomenal, with a gift for capturing the attention of his audience.
Roger Gregory
Former President | Moraga RotaryDuring my year as President of the local Rotary Club, Diego spoke to our group about his experiences while traveling in Asia.
The group was enthralled by Diego's way of presenting notable and fun facts. In fact, they asked him to keep speaking after his allotted 45 minute time was up.
Several members approached Diego and myself later, and said what a fine presentation it was. Rotarians who met Diego regularly ask how he is - and where he is now.
Mrs. Lineros
2nd Grade Bilingual Teacher | Edenvale Elementary School
¡La presentación de Diego motivó a los estudiantes a hacer su mejor esfuerzo para lograr en el futuro ir a College! ¡Gracias Diego, necesitamos más jóvenes como tú, un presentador dinámico y con mucha energía!
Randy Farris
Founder | Here For Kids International
I have had the blessing and joy to share in a number of “those occasions” that Diego has led and conducted using his special talents of motivational speaking. I like to refer to them as “Diego moments”. He has such a gift! Young children, teenagers and older adults...everyone...walk away feeling motivated, inspired, and most importantly—personally touched by his talks that always conclude with a message of social good and personal empowerment.
Erin Elliott
Activities Director | Analy High SchoolI first met Diego at a CASC Conference (California Association of Student Councils) and after seeing him in action I knew he had to come to my campus and share his excitement with my students. Diego finds the positive in everything in life and his energy is infectious. His message was one of encouraging students to find their passion and push themselves to reach their goals. Many students were surprised that someone so young had such a powerful message to share. He took the time to talk with students one-on-one and continued to share his story to Touch, Move and Inspire.
Oscar A. Ortiz
Director | Oak Grove School DistrictDiego Rios exudes positivity in his speeches, mannerism and that everlasting smile. He grasps his audience and holds them close to his message which inspires us all.
Luis Velasquez
Teacher | Parkview Elementary SchoolDiego, thanks for coming to Parkview and sharing your wonderful experiences and inspirational words. Our students understood that sometime ago, you were an elementary student, you sat where they were sitting. They connected that someday they can stand where you are standing now. Thank you.
Let's Connect
"Some people grumble because roses have thorns; I am thankful that the thorns have roses."
