Keynotes
Laurie Hernandez
Since bringing home the Gold and Silver medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Hernandez has gone on to win the coveted Mirror ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” Season 23 and her first book titled “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond” chronicling her journey thus far was published in 2017, hitting the New York Times Best Sellers list. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book “She’s Got This” with Harper Collins Children's Books, also a New York Times Best Seller, while serving as a Literacy Champion to promote readership as a path to leadership, and Mattel created a Laurie Hernandez “Shero” Barbie to honor her.
She is a second generation American, as her grandparents are from Puerto Rico, making her the first U.S. born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984. Laurie was also the gymnastics analyst for Peacock and the Olympic Channel for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
When not in the gym, Laurie enjoys spending time with her family. Acting is one of her biggest passions and she has done cameos, voiceovers, and even co-hosted American Ninja Warrior Junior. She travels the country speaking to the next generation about following your dreams and embracing who you are. She is also a fierce advocate for the importance of Mental Health and has partnered with multiple campaigns and initiatives to encourage awareness.
Richard Montañez
Richard Montañez led Multicultural Sales & Marketing as Vice President across Pepsi North American divisions, and after 42 years with the company he is now retired (March 1, 2020.) Throughout his career Montañez has held various senior roles through Pepsi and Frito Lay divisions.
Montañez started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor and is recognized as the creator of the Flamin’ Hot line of products, which have become a billion dollar business and a cultural phenomenon.
Recognized for his visionary leadership, ability to innovate and his commitment to diversity, he has received several notable awards and is often named one of the most influential Latinos in corporate America.
Mr. Montañez is the only four-time recipient of PepsiCo’s Chairman’s Award, the highest honor given to employees based on performance and work ethic. As a long-standing mentor and executive sponsor of PepsiCo's Latino and Hispanic employee group, Adelante, Montañez has supported and nurtured the careers of hundreds of PepsiCo employees. Montañez is also a committed philanthropist and founder of Onelite, a nonprofit that provides hundreds of high-need families within the United States with food and school supplies.
He serves on several boards or directors and advisory boards. He was also the first Latino board member to serve on the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an African-American civil rights organization, whose first president was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Richard Montañez is a sought-after motivational speaker, speaking to corporate groups like Target, Walmart, and Slalom, as well as universities such as USC and Harvard. Montañez has been featured in TV and print outlets, such as Good Morning America, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Fortune and Newsweek. His story is now the subject of a forthcoming biopic from Fox Searchlight Films.