Mercedes Ramirez Johnson
- Inspirational Safety Speaker – “Get It Right Today, Not Tomorrow”
Mercedes Ramirez Johnson Speaker Biography
In 1995, Mercedes Ramirez Johnson narrowly survived a commercial airplane crash that killed 160 people, including her parents. As one of only four survivors of this tragedy, she vowed that she would make her second chance at life count…and that she has – not only for herself, but also for the tens of thousands of people who have heard her story and her message.
Transformational, passionate, inspiring and genuine. That is how clients and audiences describe Mercedes and her programs. Many speakers who have overcome great adversity are deeply inspiring, but rarely offer their audiences more than momentary motivation. Content-driven presenters provide practical advice, but are often short on inspiration. Mercedes offers both. Weaving workable solutions throughout an emotionally compelling story, she touches people’s hearts and minds. Her proprietary Second Chance Living™ concept, an innovative mindset and approach with a proven track record, offers participants a blueprint for change along with specific tools they can use immediately in their professional and personal endeavors. In addition, her message that experience is no guarantee is having a tangible and powerful impact on safety initiatives and programs across the country.
Mercedes presents to companies, associations, faith-based organizations, government agencies and higher education institutions across the U.S. and Canada. Her clients include some of America’s most respected organizations, such as General Electric, Verizon, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Gulfstream Aerospace, Suncor Energy, Meeting Planners International, The Environmental Protection Agency and The National Catholic Youth Conference, where she spoke to over 15,000 clergy and youth.
Before becoming a speaker, Mercedes spent nearly a decade in high-level sales in the pharmaceutical and medical software industries. A record-breaking, multimillion-dollar producer, she became the youngest female and sole Latino account executive at Cerner Corporation. As a result, she understands the challenges and opportunities today’s professionals face and has both the capability and the credibility to cross professional, generational, gender and ethnic gaps to connect with people from all backgrounds and levels.
Mercedes and her story have been the subject of considerable national and international media coverage. Her extensive media experience includes appearances on ABC’s PrimeTime, The BBC, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Health Channel and as a recurring guest on The Montel Williams Show. In addition, numerous national magazines and major-market newspapers have run cover stories and special-interest pieces about her.
Mercedes has received national awards for her work, influence and dedication to improving the lives of others. She was recognized as one of the country’s top young Hispanic up-and-comers by People Magazine’s Spanish edition, People en Español. INROADS, Inc., an international organization dedicated to developing talented minority youth, voted her Alumni of the Year. In addition, she was recently honored as Volunteer of the Year for Christ Haven for Children, a home for neglected children in Texas. In memory of her parents, she established a scholarship for minority students at Northwest Missouri State University, where she actively serves as an Executive Member of the university’s Foundation Board.
Mercedes and her husband live in Texas with their two children. To book inspirational speaker Mercedes Ramirez Johnson call Executive Speakers Bureau 901-754-9404.
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Speech Topics
Resilience: Your Most Important Muscle
Life and work are full of challenges, but what if you could train your mind to bounce back faster, stronger, and with greater clarity?
Resilience isn’t just about surviving setbacks—it’s about using them as fuel to thrive. This program will shatter common myths about struggle and recovery, revealing the science-backed strategies that help individuals and organizations stay strong in the face of adversity.
This engaging session dives into the psychology and neuroscience of resilience, showing how we naturally reset and overcome setbacks more efficiently than we think. You’ll explore Impact Bias (why we overestimate hardships), Focalism (how we get stuck on negative events), and Implementation Intention (a powerful strategy for overcoming obstacles). Through real-world applications and proven techniques, attendees will learn how to reduce stress, strengthen social connections, and enhance both personal and professional fulfillment.
Organizational Payoffs
Resilient employees are more engaged, adaptable, and productive. By equipping your team with tools to navigate setbacks, this program helps organizations:
• Boost performance and motivation by reframing challenges as opportunities.
• Enhance teamwork and collaboration through stronger social connections.
• Reduce burnout and absenteeism with stress management techniques.
• Create a culture of growth and innovation, where setbacks fuel success.
Individual Takeaways
Participants will leave with actionable strategies to:
• Recognize and overcome negative thought patterns that amplify stress.
• Use Implementation Intention to stay on track with personal and professional goals.
• Improve resilience through practical mindset shifts and self-regulation techniques.
• Build stronger relationships and social support systems to enhance well-being.
• Gain inspiration from Mercedes’s powerful journey, proving that even the most difficult setbacks can lead to strength and purpose.
Second Chance Living
“What will you do with your second chance today?” is the question Mercedes poses to general audiences in this transformational program. Her gripping story moves participants to put their lives in perspective and carefully consider how the choices they make profoundly affect their future. Participants will walk away with increased confidence, knowing that no matter what challenges they may face, they have the fortitude and ability to take ownership of their lives and find the fulfillment they desire. Full program description
Get It Right Today, Not Tomorrow
Do your employees and leaders too often operate in Survival Mode, putting out fires and putting off until tomorrow what should be done today? This program powerfully dispels the notion that there will always be a tomorrow in which we can finish today’s unfinished business and moves individuals to work and live with intentionality. Participants will leave fully engaged and ready to confront difficult situations, tackle complex issues, serve customers with respect and urgency, and perform their jobs with renewed passion. Full program description
Safety: Don’t Count on Second Chances
Can too much experience be a bad thing? Absolutely…if it leads to complacency. The highly experienced pilots of Flight 965 were lulled into a false sense of security that led to the deaths of 160 people. Mercedes’ one-of-a-kind safety presentation uses the factual account of the crash of Flight 965 as an anchor to drive home the dangers of complacency and the importance of situational awareness. Participants will clearly understand the difference between knowing about safety and putting safety into action. Full program description
Reviews
I engaged Mercedes to speak at an event for my company’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders. Working in the aerospace industry, her experience and message was a natural fit for us. She was able to inspire our leaders to bring their inner strength to situations which sometimes are outside their control. Without a doubt Mercedes gave our leaders a gift to carry with them long-term, hope. Thank you Mercedes!
