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Denise Soler Cox Leading Voice on Belonging & Award-Winning Filmmaker

About the Author

Denise Soler Cox is the leading voice on belonging, a keynote speaker, award-winning filmmaker, and expert on transforming workplace culture. She helps leaders create High Quality Cultures™ where people don’t just fit in, they belong. Belonging is the future of work. It’s the key to retention, engagement, and performance, but most organizations don’t know how to build it at scale.

After going from a stay-at-home-mom to award-winning activist filmmaker, Top 100 podcaster and sought-after international speaker, Soler Cox uses her experience to tell inspiring stories with a single purpose…to transform how we think and speak about culture, identity and what it means to belong.

In 2020 Soler Cox was recognized as a “Featured Host” by Apple Podcast North America for her podcast “The Self-ish Latina” which has listeners in 32 countries. She has been invited to speak on over 400 stages including two TEDx talks and has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands like Ralph Lauren, Amazon, Progressive, Microsoft, AARP, Facebook, LinkedIn, JP Morgan Chase, Salesforce, Proctor & Gamble, Dow Jones, Eli Lilly, KPMG, Starbucks, VaynerMedia, SONY, L’Oréal to name a few.

Through her speaking, her award-winning film “being eñye”, and upcoming book What Will They Say? (2026), Soler Cox shows brands how to build belonging at scale, and help individuals liberate themselves from the beliefs that keep them from truly belonging to themselves. She has appeared as an expert guest on NBC Nightly News and her work has been featured in Forbes.com, CNN, PBS, NBC Latino, Chicago Tribune, Telemundo, Univision, Fox News Latino, HOLA, and the Huffington Post.

She was recognized as a 2023 MPI President’s Award recipient, is a distinguished member of the 4th Cohort of the Stanford Latino Leaders Entrepreneur Program and was a National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) 2017 Fellow. She was also honored to be selected as the 2018 recipient of the “Bridge Builder Award in Education” from the Virginia Hispanic Chamber.

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Suggested Topics

The Inner Game of Belonging: Where Innovation and Identity Meet

What if everything you thought you knew about belonging was missing the most crucial piece? Organizations invest countless resources trying to create cultures of belonging, yet still struggle with disengagement, missed innovation, and talent walking out the door. Why? Because they’re solving the wrong problem.

The real challenge isn’t about making people feel like they belong – it’s about understanding why they don’t. It’s about breaking the silence around the universal experience that’s holding your organization back: The internal dialogue that convinces your brightest minds they’re not ready, your emerging leaders they’re not qualified, and your most innovative thinkers they might be found out.

Through compelling stories and unexpected discoveries, audiences learn:

  • How to turn self-doubt from a leadership liability into a catalyst for authentic connection
  • Why acknowledging the “messy middle” actually accelerates both personal and team development
  • The unexpected way belonging to yourself transforms how others contribute and engage
  • How to create environments where innovation flows because people stop hiding and start leading

Raves and Reviews

Thank you does not feel like a strong enough sentiment to express our appreciation for you and the light you bring to every place you go Denise! I wanted to extend my & our sincerest Thank you for presenting the power of Belonging to our Team. It was a truly transformational experience, that left our team synergized with optimism and purposefulness in how we see each other, except each other and create belonging. This lasting impression has cascaded as an energy, that is being actively cultivated and nurtured. The realization that Belonging starts with “You” is the true fuel that was taken away and is now being mobilized within our internal community.

As more and more organizations are seeking ways to create a more inclusive and collaborative environment. I would highly recommend starting with Denise Soler Cox, as the foundation for growth in this aspect.

The energized and sincere manner in which she removes barriers of differences and replaces it with the fact that at some point in each of our lives, we have All felt that we do not belong. With this unlock the connection is made. This connection transforms into how teams engage, collaborate and feel.

This is the foundation for operational greatness.”
 SalonCentric – Professional Beauty Partners

As a first generation American and a daughter of a refugee and immigrant, there was always this gnawing sense that I didn’t quite fit anywhere. It’s something I couldn’t articulate until hearing Denise speak. She “gets” cultural dexterity and why it matters. She helped me understand the value of cultural fluency and unlock (what I call) my super power so that I can be of service to others.”
 Pipeline

Denise holds a special gift to speak from the heart and leaves everyone in the room feeling a little more love than they walked in with. This love spreads… she gives easily followed, actionable takeaways to help your team incorporate this feeling of belonging within their communities. She was an absolute pleasure to work with and the reviews were all 5 stars! I knew from the moment I saw Denise speak at another event that I wanted to have her speak at our conference. Her message of belonging spoke to all levels within our association, from front line on site employees, to central office directors.”
 Colorado School Nutritionists Association

I was crying, laughing, holding my hands up in that “preach-it” position… It was exactly what everyone needed to experience. You are amazing, and in times like these, you are a beacon of light (filled with love, acceptance, and joy). I am truly happy you are, not just here, but nuestra voz! Abrazo grande Prima!!!”
Lexia Learning

The event overall exceeded the membership’s expectations, and your segment in particular gained the highest rating over the 2-day event!”
PNC Bank

I know Denise says she accidentally fell into being a “Belonging Expert”; however, I think this is her calling. Nobody does this better than Denise. Thank you, Denise, for the important work that you do, for continuing to share your story, and for inspiring many along the way.

I had the privilege and honor of meeting Denise Soler Cox over a year ago at Latino Lead’s LiderCon conference. We watched her award winning short film “Being Eñye” where she shares her story and interviews other Latinos in the US with similar experiences and similar feelings of not belonging. Not Latino enough. Not American enough. We heard her speak about being a first generation Latina and the struggles that come with navigating two worlds. There was not a dry eye in the room.

It was the first time I could relate to a keynote speaker. I felt seen and validated. It took me back to my childhood. I too was born in the US and both of my parents are from MX. Spanish was my first language. I didn’t learn English until we moved to GA when I was in first grade. I remember kids bullying me because I spoke Spanish. I was put in ESL and eventually learned English, yet I still felt like I didn’t belong. Not American enough. I was criticized by my own cousins and aunts in Mexico for mispronouncing words in Spanish and for having bad grammar. I wasn’t Latina enough for them.

Denise is incredibly talented and inspiring. She is a beautiful storyteller and is able to move an audience. I knew that we just had to have her speak at Best Buy to deliver her message about the importance of belonging. And I am so glad that we did. We did the screening and to nobody’s surprise, more waterworks and relatable stories were shared by the audience. We’re barely scratching the surface and we hope to continue to have these types of conversations with Denise at Best Buy.”
Best Buy

Denise captivated associates by describing the concept of a tangible sense of belonging. She offered insights and actionable steps, while delivering an energizing and relatable message for anyone seeking to enhance belonging at work, home, or in their community. She’s been our most praised speaker to date.”
Performance Food Group

The emotional outpouring made it abundantly clear: Educators are Belonging Crusaders! Denise’s authenticity, passion, and interactive keynote style was not only a high point for our event, but also an opportunity for our educators to be vulnerable, share their experiences and feel the same kind of emotional support they provide to their students every day. It was a beautiful thing to witness.”
Adrienne Pfleiderer, Lexia Learning

This was my second time hearing Denise speak and each time her message of belonging and how to create it is fresh, her delivery is authentic and her impact lasts long after she gets off stage.”
L’Oreal, Professional Products Division

Denise has an important story to tell. I love that she tells it with heart and authenticity. Here’s the kicker: her story is relevant to us all (Even me. And I’m not a Latina!). As it turns out, we all need help learning how to think and speak about culture, identity, and what it means to belong.”
Heroic Productions

I have worked with Denise Soler Cox twice now for both a U.S. based audience and global audience, and her message on inclusion and belonging rang true for all participants. While we invited Denise to speak to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month and her documentary and personal experiences are rooted in the Latinx/American experience, her message of what it feels like to be an outsider speaks to anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong. Her talks whether in person or virtually are incredibly engaging and she is amazing at sharing stories and anecdotes that are relatable to everyone. Participants left with a greater empathy and a better understanding of how our cultures shapes our perspective and experiences. Denise’s passion, joy, and authenticity shine bright with every word she shares.”
 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Denise’s film and subsequent presentation provided an opportunity like none other that I’ve experienced in education, either as a student or professional. Her message about self-awareness and identity conflict is one that resonates with everyone, regardless of our own “labels.” I was especially grateful to receive her encouraging words about running after that big idea that our inner dialogue keeps telling us we’re not “<good, smart, important> enough” to pursue. Thank you, Denise, for your illuminating, uplifting and most importantly, real, talk.”
St. Catherine School

Inspiring, humbling, grounding and so full of hope.”
Microsoft

Denise Soler Cox is one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Anytime you have the opportunity to hear her speak, I highly suggest it!”
LinkedIn

Denise’s delivery is genuine and authentic. Her message, although specific to her experience and those of similar heritage, is universal and speaks to audience members of different backgrounds, genders, etc. Lastly, her message creates surprisingly strong emotional responses.”
Rocky Mountain MPI

If you want someone to bring authenticity, energy, and overall positivity to your conference, Denise Soler Cox is your person! For a live in-person and high-energy conference, I needed a speaker to not only match this energy but bring the relevant content to the table and Denise Soler Cox did just that and more! She was highly recommended to me and what I experienced first-hand, I see why! She met the goal and then some! The smiles, nods and tears of audience members during Denise’s speaking engagement was an early indication of what the final outcome would be and that was complete satisfaction! Many of the audience members not only felt motivated by Denise but their hearts and minds were fully engaged.”
 Lean In Latinas

Denise is a courageous and bold Latina who is amazingly likable and relatable. She is a new, refreshing and confident voice for American Latinos. As well, she has emerged a thought leader and influencer on the international stage. Denise is a rare jewel. In my years in nonprofit leadership, Denise stands out as a true leader among leaders. Her energy and enthusiasm; her progressive thinking and her positive persona—on top of her knowledge and skills—make her very distinct indeed. The smiles, nods and tears of audience members during Denise’s speaking engagement was an early indication of what the final outcome would be and that was complete satisfaction! Many of the audience members not only felt motivated by Denise but their hearts and minds were fully engaged.”
The U.S. Small Business Administration

Denise’s keynote deeply moved the WILD (Women in Leadership Development) Conference attendees. Her exuberant energy, ability to personally connect with the audience, and willingness to be vulnerable was exactly what we were hoping to provide to the over 500 career women and students who joined us.”
Disruption Advisors

I highly recommend her. I had Denise Soler Cox speak at my previous company and at American Tower. She was terrific and our employees loved her message and delivery.”
 American Tower

WOW!!!! I love love love where you took all your previous revelations about yourself and others and combined them into such a significant, impactful and frankly unifying 3 point message.  For non-people of color, what’s the hook to get them to self-reflect on their own biases ? What’s the hook to get them to care to? How about for us? What’s the hook for us to listen to yet another message on what makes us different and worthy? What does it matter anymore if we’re not seeing significant movement in others celebrating those differences? Why did this matter for business?

From your reel, it seems the hook is centered around belonging – but bringing it down to the individual rather than a demographic. (And bringing is THE DEIB hot topic these days). This way we can each (and all) resonate with the message and content unifying us in a common point or experience. (It’s the lack of common experience that I believe keeps people in their corners). I love this!!!”
Zurich North America, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, HR Business Partner

I now believe that belonging means that I am the puzzle piece, and I’ll fit where I fit.”
Women on the Rise

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