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Shayla Rivera

Shayla Rivera

Keynote Speaker: Aerospace Engineer & Former NASA Rocket Scientist

Shayla Rivera Biography

Shayla Rivera is an Aerospace Engineer and former Rocket Scientist with NASA turned salesperson, corporate trainer, and now Int’l Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, TV & Radio host, Emcee/Host, Comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, Seminar Facilitator, Panel Moderator and as of 2017, Director of the ENGR[x] program and Professor of Practice with the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University.

However, none of these labels tells you much about her. She best describes herself as a spiritually irreverent Mystic and Awareness Expert. What many would call a Renaissance Woman.

Keynotes include subjects that span Inspiration, Motivation, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Education, STEM Education, Awareness, Stress Management, Communication, and Self Growth, always using the power of humor and her life story.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Rivera grew up with an avid interest in human behavior, science, machinery and fixing things. Her parents always made it clear that going to college was the way to go in order to have a successful personal and professional life. Rivera attended Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering with a great number of additional credits in her other passion, Psychology. After graduation she joined McDonnell Douglas Space Systems at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where she worked on the Space Shuttle and Space Station programs for five years.

Rivera left NASA to pursue her abiding interest in psychology, trying to figure out what makes people tick. This pursuit took her through several years in Technical Sales of environmental systems and water treatment chemicals, financial products and finally guiding her onto becoming a corporate trainer. Rivera began facilitating life-changing seminars on stress management for executives at companies around the country. During that time, she began giving motivational speeches. While conducting seminars and giving speeches, Rivera discovered her comedic skills. Encouraged by many of her clients she signed up for a weekend seminar on stand-up comedy, at the end of which she performed a five-minute routine. It was a personal turning point. “I knew I’d found what I was looking for,” Rivera recalled.

Almost immediately, Rivera became a regular at Comedy Clubs nationwide. She used her experiences to create the hit one woman show “Rocket Science and Salsa,” directed by Debbie Allen for which Rivera earned a "Best Lead Actress" nomination by the NAACP Theater Awards, as well as a nomination for "Best Choreography" for Allen.

Rivera hosted the 13 episode TV series “You’re Not The Man I Married” for Lifetime Real Women Network and has appeared on television shows such as “Comics Unleashed,” "Xtreme Fakeovers," "National Lampoon’s Funny Money," “Funny is Funny" and many others. She has been a guest on the “The Dennis Miller Show,” “The Roseanne Show,” ”The Martin Short Show,” was featured in the "Paul Rodriguez Latin All Stars" and was part of the Comedy Central special, “Comedy Rehab” with Paul Rodriguez. She has performed and headlined on entertainment programs for Univision, Galavision, HBO Latino and on “The Latino Comedy Jam” for Telemundo. She was named "Funniest Latina Comedian" by the organization "Latin 2015." In 2020, Rivera's 1/2 hour stand-up comedy special titled "Shayla Rivera: It's Not Rocket Science," premiered on HBO Latino and started streaming on HBO Max.

Rivera has been speaking and performing in both English and Spanish for 28 years and has a broad appeal to men and women of all backgrounds and ages. Her clients around the world include Fortune 500 companies, national and regional organizations, as well as students, parents and faculty from elementary schools to colleges. In 2018, Rivera spoke at the TEDx conference at Texas A&M University. Rivera often applies her expertise to host/emcee many fundraising events for non-profit organizations, charitable and educational programs as well as Award Galas and Conferences.

In 2004, Rivera received the “Mario Moreno Cantinflas Award” presented by the city of Los Angeles in recognition of entertainers who "represent the Latino Community with the same humor as the great Comedian Cantinflas did" and for her involvement in the community. In 2007, Rivera received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service Participation. In 2010, she received the Award for Excellence in Public Speaking by the Latino Speakers Bureau. After only 3 years of teaching, Rivera was awarded the John J. Koldus Faculty and Staff Achievement Award in 2020 by the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University.

Rivera performs live stand-up comedy worldwide and is extremely proud of her comedy and speaking tours for our servicemen and women stationed around the world in Greenland, Diego Garcia, Asia, Europe, Central America and the Middle East.

Rivera says, “My number one goal is to inspire, through laughter.” She has seen, first-hand, the impact the Latino population and culture has had in all levels of American corporations, organizations and education, and is focused on helping make this merging occur as smooth as possible. She jokes, “We are all the same, only different...once we understand this, we will be able to seize the opportunities that lie in our seeming differences.”

Rivera was thrilled to accept faculty and staff positions at her alma mater, Texas A&M University. Rivera, who is a true Aggie, is very excited to bring her expertise in self-development and awareness to the engineering students at Texas A&M as a Professor of Practice and as Director of ENGR[x], a new program with the objective of providing undergraduate engineering students with professional skills and experiences beyond their engineering degree requirements, making them more attractive to employers. Helping students become better prepared for life, not just as an engineer but as an individual, which is her greatest purpose.

Rivera is not easily placed in just one category or class, she defines her own. She finally remarks, “Now I even can add Breast Cancer Survivor to my resume. I am grateful.”

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Shayla Rivera and other top speakers and celebrities.

Shayla Rivera Speaking Topics

The Power of Our Story

When we aim to reinvigorate our lives we are often encouraged to stop where we are and begin anew. We must focus on the future, on goals and what can be and, almost without noticing, we turn our backs to all that has already been experienced. A great story is never one that is in perpetual reset. The most compelling stories are told by those who understand and appreciate how far they have already come. Only by reframing our stories, as the Hero’s Journey they are, we will find the gifts and wisdom we have already accumulated. Once we do it for ourselves, then, we will be able to help our students do the same. Taking a look at our story with new perspectives, acceptance and yes, humor, we find the evidence of our resilience as well as the pearls of knowledge and wisdom picked up along the way.

Empowerment STEM / STEAM

“I was a typical youspeakerng girl, conflicted with insecurities and shyness. Yet in possession of a challenge driven determination that has not quit to this day,” she says. Shayla understands the importance of the voices that either encourage or discourage and has always chosen to be a source of belief and inspiration. “Truth is, if I could do anything, anyone else also can.”

Helping young women believe in themselves and their potential in STEM & STEAM fields is a driving force in Shayla’s purpose. She travels around the globe encouraging girls to see the truth of their potential. And speaks to women to help them remember the incredible strength of their nature. “I have never met a woman who was not fierce in some way, even though they could not see it. All I want to do is remind them of just how amazing we truly are.”

Her other topics include:

Motivation, inspiration, leadership, diversity, education, STEM / STEAM education, Women & Girls in STEM, female empowerment, awareness, personal improvement, communication, stress management, the importance of humor and her life story

"ABC - Awareness Begins Change"

Shayla Rivera believes, indeed 'knows', that anyone can accomplish anything they would like to. Her belief springs out of her own life experiences. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, her family moved to Texas where at the age of seventeen and fresh out of high school, Shayla attended Texas A&M University where she earned her degree in Aerospace Engineering. She not only had to learn 'engineering stuff' she also had to learn the English Language at the same time, and as she puts it, "learning to speak Texan is not easy". Shayla then went on to work for NASA in the Space Shuttle and Space station Programs, from there it was Technical Sales of environmental products for the Oil and Gas and Chemical industries, then onto Stress Management Corporate trainings and motivational speaking, finally onto Stand-up Comedy, all while teaching aerobics, and being a single parent bringing up two magnificent children. Her life is a reflection of what can be achieved if you are willing to open up to the possibilities and to listen to your own spirit. "Everything I have done, and have been, has brought me to the person I am today and I like that person. Nothing has been wasted and nothing is regretted".

There is only one wonderful requirement for living unlimited possibilities and that is, know what you believe. "As strange as this sounds the one thing I have learned is that our conditioning, spanning from cultural background, environment we grew up in, our peers and families will determine and influence our lives and our achievements. All we have to do is realize that we are on auto pilot about what we continually choose to do and believe. Once we become aware that we are in control we can then begin to change our direction and make choices that aim at the desired results for our lives". Shayla uses her training as an engineer, a motivational speaker, a comedian, a mother and as an aerobics instructor to help her audiences laugh their way to inspiration.

Leadership

Like everything else, Leadership begins with the individual. A leader is not defined by a title or a position of leadership but by their ability to inspire others to work towards a common goal. Traits of leadership such as having a vision, setting goals, charisma, communication skills, character, intelligence, and many more, can be found within every person. I focus on helping individuals recognize and strengthen these traits, first within themselves then give tools that will help them do the same for others.

Shayla Rivera Videos

Shayla Rivera at TAMU Develop & Thrive 2020
Shayla Rivera is the Woman in the Arena
IMAGINATION; “I’m – A- Genie – In – Creation | Shayla Rivera | TEDxTAMU

How do I book Shayla Rivera to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Shayla Rivera for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Shayla Rivera, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Shayla Rivera or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Shayla Rivera for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Shayla Rivera, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. For the most current speaking fee to hire Shayla Rivera, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Shayla Rivera speak about?

Shayla Rivera is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Comedy, Women, Empowerment, Entertainers, Hosts & Emcees, Celebrity, STEM Education, Women's Empowerment, Hispanic Heritage, Diversity, Space, Engineering, Cancer, Motivational, Cancer Survivor, STEM, Influential Women, Technology, Health, Virtual Speakers, Science, Female Leadership, Women in Tech, Leadership, Thought Leadership, Women's History Month, Sales, Human Resources and Business.

Where does Shayla Rivera travel from?

Shayla Rivera generally travels from College Station, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Shayla Rivera?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Shayla Rivera for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Shayla Rivera for your next private or corporate function.

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AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Shayla Rivera or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

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If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Shayla Rivera is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Comedy, Women and Empowerment. Please contact us for live or virtual event fee details. Shayla Rivera generally travels from College Station, TX, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Olga Custodio, Amelia Rose Earhart and Sylvia Acevedo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Shayla Rivera for an upcoming event.

Shayla Rivera Speaking Topics

  • The Power of Our Story

    When we aim to reinvigorate our lives we are often encouraged to stop where we are and begin anew. We must focus on the future, on goals and what can be and, almost without noticing, we turn our backs to all that has already been experienced. A great story is never one that is in perpetual reset. The most compelling stories are told by those who understand and appreciate how far they have already come. Only by reframing our stories, as the Hero’s Journey they are, we will find the gifts and wisdom we have already accumulated. Once we do it for ourselves, then, we will be able to help our students do the same. Taking a look at our story with new perspectives, acceptance and yes, humor, we find the evidence of our resilience as well as the pearls of knowledge and wisdom picked up along the way.

  • Empowerment STEM / STEAM

    “I was a typical youspeakerng girl, conflicted with insecurities and shyness. Yet in possession of a challenge driven determination that has not quit to this day,” she says. Shayla understands the importance of the voices that either encourage or discourage and has always chosen to be a source of belief and inspiration. “Truth is, if I could do anything, anyone else also can.”

    Helping young women believe in themselves and their potential in STEM & STEAM fields is a driving force in Shayla’s purpose. She travels around the globe encouraging girls to see the truth of their potential. And speaks to women to help them remember the incredible strength of their nature. “I have never met a woman who was not fierce in some way, even though they could not see it. All I want to do is remind them of just how amazing we truly are.”

  • Her other topics include:

    Motivation, inspiration, leadership, diversity, education, STEM / STEAM education, Women & Girls in STEM, female empowerment, awareness, personal improvement, communication, stress management, the importance of humor and her life story

  • "ABC - Awareness Begins Change"

    Shayla Rivera believes, indeed 'knows', that anyone can accomplish anything they would like to. Her belief springs out of her own life experiences. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, her family moved to Texas where at the age of seventeen and fresh out of high school, Shayla attended Texas A&M University where she earned her degree in Aerospace Engineering. She not only had to learn 'engineering stuff' she also had to learn the English Language at the same time, and as she puts it, "learning to speak Texan is not easy". Shayla then went on to work for NASA in the Space Shuttle and Space station Programs, from there it was Technical Sales of environmental products for the Oil and Gas and Chemical industries, then onto Stress Management Corporate trainings and motivational speaking, finally onto Stand-up Comedy, all while teaching aerobics, and being a single parent bringing up two magnificent children. Her life is a reflection of what can be achieved if you are willing to open up to the possibilities and to listen to your own spirit. "Everything I have done, and have been, has brought me to the person I am today and I like that person. Nothing has been wasted and nothing is regretted".

    There is only one wonderful requirement for living unlimited possibilities and that is, know what you believe. "As strange as this sounds the one thing I have learned is that our conditioning, spanning from cultural background, environment we grew up in, our peers and families will determine and influence our lives and our achievements. All we have to do is realize that we are on auto pilot about what we continually choose to do and believe. Once we become aware that we are in control we can then begin to change our direction and make choices that aim at the desired results for our lives". Shayla uses her training as an engineer, a motivational speaker, a comedian, a mother and as an aerobics instructor to help her audiences laugh their way to inspiration.

  • Leadership

    Like everything else, Leadership begins with the individual. A leader is not defined by a title or a position of leadership but by their ability to inspire others to work towards a common goal. Traits of leadership such as having a vision, setting goals, charisma, communication skills, character, intelligence, and many more, can be found within every person. I focus on helping individuals recognize and strengthen these traits, first within themselves then give tools that will help them do the same for others.

Shayla Rivera Videos

Shayla Rivera at TAMU Develop & Thrive 2020
Shayla Rivera is the Woman in the Arena
IMAGINATION; “I’m – A- Genie – In – Creation | Shayla Rivera | TEDxTAMU
Shayla Rivera Keynote V1

Shayla Rivera Reviews

  • Kenvue - Oct 19 2023

  • Everything was wonderful, thank you so much!
    ROI - Oct 11 2023

  • Thank you so much for your help! Our Colleague absolutely loved Shayla!
    Pfizer - Nov 28 2022

  • Shayla did an outstanding job connecting with the audience!
    Pfizer - Oct 14 2022

  • We received AMAZING feedback about Shayla and the event in general. The dynamic between Shayla and Alastair (the event host and bank CFO) was really great – the conversation was honest, vulnerable and inspiring. Their conversation had me in tears at one point!
    Bank of America - Dec 20 2021

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