Speaking
SPEAKING & STORYTELLING
Ideas That Invite Us to See Life Differently
Dr. Riza Rasco is a scientist-turned-global explorer, author, and international speaker whose work explores the intersection of travel, personal reinvention, leadership, and social impact.
Drawing on her journey across all 193 UN member states, a career in science and executive leadership, and her own profound experience of personal reinvention, Riza brings a rare perspective to conversations about navigating change, expanding possibility, and creating a more self-directed and purposeful life.
Through compelling stories from around the world and thoughtful reflections on the lessons they reveal, she invites audiences to look beyond conventional definitions of success, reconsider what is possible at different stages of life, and recognize how encounters with unfamiliar places, people, and perspectives can transform the way we see ourselves and the world.
Whether speaking to professionals, leaders, travelers, or changemakers, Riza combines intellectual curiosity with deeply human storytelling—leaving audiences inspired to approach their own lives with greater courage, curiosity, and intention.
SIGNATURE TALKS
Conversations That Begin With Experience
Four keynote themes shaped by a life across disciplines, cultures, continents, and reinvention
01 · REINVENTION
Reinvention Through Travel™
Travel as a Pathway to Possibility, Self-Discovery, and a More Self-Directed Life
Drawing from her transformation from scientist and executive to global explorer, author, and social-impact leader, Riza explores how stepping beyond the familiar can open new ways of seeing ourselves and the lives we might create. Through stories and lessons gathered around the world, she invites audiences to consider reinvention as an evolving process shaped by curiosity, courage, reflection, and the willingness to embrace new possibilities.
IDEAL FOR
Women’s leadership forums · Professional associations · Corporate audiences · Conferences · Organizations navigating change
02 · SELF-DISCOVERY
The World Is My Mirror
What Traveling the World Can Teach Us About Ourselves
Drawing from her journey across all 193 UN member states and the reflections behind her memoir The World Is My Mirror, Riza explores how encounters with unfamiliar places, cultures, people, and ways of living can change the way we see ourselves. Through stories of wonder, challenge, solitude, and discovery, she examines travel as a mirror for deeper reflection on identity, resilience, belonging, purpose, and the possibilities for personal transformation.
IDEAL FOR
Travel organizations · Literary events · Cultural institutions · Universities · Global forums · Experienced travelers
03 · LEADERSHIP & IMPACT
Leadership That Creates Change
Turning Experience, Influence, and Travel into Social Impact
Drawing from her experience building organizations and initiatives that harness travel for social impact, Riza explores leadership grounded in initiative, empathy, collaboration, and contribution. Through stories from projects supporting education, heritage and environmental preservation, sustainable tourism, and community development, she invites audiences to consider how their own experience, influence, and resources can be transformed into meaningful action—and how leadership can create positive change far beyond ourselves.
IDEAL FOR
Corporations · Leadership conferences · Women’s organizations · Tourism forums · Nonprofits · Social enterprises
04 · EDUCATION & POSSIBILITY
Education as a Passport to Possibility
Curiosity, Courage, and Building a Life Beyond the Familiar
From studying science abroad to building an international career and ultimately traveling the world, Riza shares how education, curiosity, and openness to opportunity expanded the possibilities for her own life. Speaking especially to students and young people, she encourages audiences to think beyond conventional paths, remain curious about the world, embrace opportunities to learn and grow, and imagine futures that may extend far beyond what they can see today.
IDEAL FOR
High schools · Universities · Entrepreneurship programs · Youth leadership programs · Educational institutions
FOR AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
Corporations · Conferences · Leadership Forums
Travel & Tourism · Universities · Entrepreneurship Programmes · High Schools
ON STAGE
Selected Speaking Engagements
Riza has been invited to speak at international conferences, global forums, tourism events, women’s leadership platforms, corporations, universities, and schools, engaging audiences ranging from business leaders and entrepreneurs to university and high school students. Her talks explore themes of reinvention, purposeful travel, leadership, and social impact.
Drawing from her journey around the world, her transition from science to global exploration and purpose-driven leadership, and her work with communities through travel, she combines personal storytelling with broader insights into how new experiences and perspectives can reshape the way we live, lead, and contribute.
Her talks invite audiences to reflect on their own journeys, embrace possibility and change, and consider how travel and life experience can become catalysts for both personal transformation and positive social impact.
INTERNATION / GLOBAL
MTP Summit '25
13 – 16 November, 2025 · Ethiopia
How to be a woman who goes everywhere they say you shouldn’t
Extraordinary Travel Fest 2022
Yerevan, Armenia
Finding Your Travel Superpower
Dr. Rasco shared her transformative journey across all 203 countries and how travelers can align their passions with purpose.
CORPORATE
PraXis Experiential
06 – 07 January 2026 · Tagaytay, Philippines
Making Giant Leaps Around the World
Corporate Planning Event
LEADERSHIP
Global Women Who Rule Annual Conference
May 2024
Exploring the World, Nurturing Our Roots
Dr. Rasco spoke on global citizenship, women’s leadership, and staying grounded in one’s heritage while navigating a global life. Hosted by The New Channel.
EDUCATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Youth Entrepreneurship Congress
October 9 – 10,2025
Fuerte Camsur Sports Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur
Education as a passport to the world
Education took Dr. Riza Rasco across borders and eventually to all 203 countries and 82 Philippine provinces—proof that learning can open doors you never imagined.
Trashion Show
13 January, 2026 · Richwell College
Re Fashion: From Waste to Glamour
Where waste becomes wearable art.
TOURISM AND SOCIAL IMPACT
Tourism Industry Board of the Philippines Forum
31 March 2022
Rediscovering Sulu Island as a Destination
She presented a collaborative case study with the Philippine Global Explorers on sustainable and community-based travel in underrepresented regions.
Passport to Possibility Series
SPEAKING ENQUIRIES
Bring Riza to Your Audience
Planning a conference, leadership gathering, corporate event, university program, or conversation about travel, reinvention, leadership, or social impact?
Riza welcomes opportunities to create thoughtful, engaging conversations tailored to your audience.
BEYOND THE STAGE
Ideas from the Stage,
Stories from the Journey.
Many of the themes Riza explores on stage—reinvention, resilience, belonging, purpose, and the transformative power of encountering the unfamiliar—are explored more deeply in her memoir, The World Is My Mirror.
FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS
Speaker Resources
Download Riza’s speaker kit for biography, speaking topics, photography and event information.
LET'S CONNECT
Whether you’d like to share a thought, explore an idea or collaboration, or simply say hello, I’d be happy to hear from you.