OVI'S SHORT BIO

Ovi Vásquez is a National Leadership Keynote Speaker and Author who went from being a farmboy raised in a poor village in the sugarcane fields of Central America to being accepted into Harvard Business School Online. Despite being labeled "at-risk" Ovi learned English in two years, graduated from high school in three years, earned a B.A. in Management in two years, published six books including a best-seller, and became a TEDx speaker on self-leadership. 

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He worked for Apple, Tesla, Salesforce, and Uber, and then created a mobile app serving as a hub for $5 million in scholarships for underprivileged youth, unlocking potentially life-changing opportunities for them. As a Social Entrepreneur, he now helps socially responsible organizations develop our next generation of values-centered leaders.

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As a father of three, Vásquez brings a unique, culturally attuned perspective to his work, being bilingual, biliterate, and deeply connected to his roots. This rich background enables him to connect with a wide array of audiences, imparting fresh insights that are both profound and accessible.

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"Before achieving success—I learned to wield a machete in the sugarcane fields at the tender age of eight, and continued working in the fields until I turned fifteen. When I moved to the U.S. in 2006 unaccompanied, my life changed forever. Soon after, my mother had to return home to care for my dying grandmother. Left alone, with zero support, I did the only thing I could do—survive..."

—Ovidilio Vásquez