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Inspiring and influencing individuals to
intentional action.
Leading Audiences Through Learning Experiences
I create memorable moments as a gifted storyteller, using vivid metaphors and easy-to-grasp analogies. I often wear my cowboy boots to illustrate one of my bias buster stories. I customize my presentations to the organization’s culture, audience, and desired event objectives.
My authentic and transparent style is a combination of my in-depth knowledge, credibility, confidence, humility, grace, and humor. I am all about inspiring and influencing individuals to action, not just awareness.
I lead audiences through learning experiences; I am not your typical trainer. I build trust and rapport quickly, and invite audiences to reflect more deeply, opening their minds to re-imagine the possible with a growth mindset. I positively encourage them on their journey to do better and be better at inclusive leadership and belonging.
I share not only what I want you to know, but also help you process how you feel about it so you can make progress and take positive action (one step forward). I share practical tips and implementation advice to support the event theme or call-to-action. I generously share additional relevant, trusted resources to support my audience members in their ongoing learning after the programs.
My speaking engagements range from in-person classroom presentations, video, live stream, live convention keynotes, live conference workshops, and expert panels.
Sample Speaking Engagements
- Networking: Maximize Your Memberships
The University of North Texas, Beta Alpha Psi, National Association of Black Accountants and ALPFA - Ascend Talk 2.0: The Power of Wishing Out Loud
Closing Keynote: Ascend National Convention, Houston, Texas - Next Level Leadership, Building and Sustaining Relationships, Work Life Choices
Ascend North Texas Executive Coaching Series - Winning the Fight for Female Talent
US Women’s Bureau
Additional Speaking Topics
- 3 Strategies for Growing Cross-Cultural Connections
- Debunking the Myths of Asian Leadership: The Model Minority Myth
- Building Authentic, Bold Confidence, and Resilience
- Connection over Perfection: Human-Centered Leadership Habits for Wellbeing
- Executive Presence Panel Discussion
- Leading Teams with Inclusion and Purpose
- Leading Through Change: Communicating with Purpose
- Leading with Inclusion: Practical Steps for Change
- The Art of Networking
- Interview with Impact
- Inclusive Leadership
- Bridging Cultural Differences
- Imposter Syndrome: You Are Not an Imposter…So Why Do You Feel Like One?
- Authentic Leadership Insights
Lisa has spoken on this topic at: Texas A&M Commerce downtown, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of North Texas, and Penn State University - Five Strategies for Belonging
- CEO Action: Conversations of Understanding
- Mitigating Unconscious Biases
- Path to Promotion: The Power of Wishing Out Loud to Get Promoted
- Unleash the Magical Momentum of Group Mentoring Circles to Energize ERGs
What Lisa’s clients say.
“
Lisa Ong delivered an impactful keynote address at the 2017 Ascend National Convention & Career Fair. The Ascend Talk of 800+ attendees encompasses early career professionals, mid-level professionals, and C-Suite Executives.Read more It was one of the top-rated sessions with comments that Lisa was inspiring, genuine, relatable, and memorable. I highly recommend her for speaking engagements on a national level or to a broad professional/executive audience.Close
“
Lisa’s talk (at PMI Dallas April dinner meeting) on authentic leadership and the power of “wishing out loud” was quite memorable. I personally enjoyed the practical tips and thought provoking questions she shared during the talk.Read more She SHOWED us what it’s like to be authentic and garner the respect of others. She drove home the message that the primary goal of a leader is to groom and discover leaders -rather than have “followers”. She shared a framework, mindset and guiding principles which I particularly appreciated. This is especially important for authenticity as the common misperception is “do this and you’ll be a leader”, which couldn’t be further from the truth. On a larger scale, the session was very well-attended, well-received and highly rated.Leadership is such a timeless and timely topic and I appreciated Lisa’s depth of knowledge and expertise on the subject. I would never hesitate to recommend Lisa as a coach, mentor, speaker or a guest. The impact of her talk was remarkable, you will never think of “leadership” the same.Close
Audio/Videos
Wishing Out Loud With Lisa M. Ong
Good Neighbor Frisco Podcast – July 28, 2026
Rockstar Launcher – November 13, 2025
How to Network Like a Natural (Even If You Hate it!)
No Cape Required – February 2025
My Asian Mom Said That, Too!
Project Unity | Listen & Learn – September 2024
Transitioning From Corporate to Coaching｜Lisa M. Ong
Girls in Finance – August 26, 2024
Meet Three DFW Women Who Left Corporate Careers to Start Their Own Companies
D CEO – June 24, 2024
Tips for Raising Working Kids
Moms Out Marketing – April 10, 2024
How to Create an Inclusive Workplace During the Holidays
YellowBook-CPE – December 8, 2023
Unleash the Magical Momentum of Group Mentoring Circles to Reinvigorate ERGs
The Forum on Workplace Inclusion – March 9, 2023
Living Fabulously Fierce: Faithful with Lisa M. Ong, PCC, CPA
Living Fabulously Fierce – January 31, 2023
Beyond the Page ~ Changing the Lens
Choice Magazine – January 17, 2023
5 Things in 15 Minutes: Bringing Good Vibes to DEI
Equality Institute – December 6, 2022
The Art of Wishing Out Loud with Lupe Prado
Paid Vocation
Intentional Conversations with Dr. Nika White – October 21, 2022
How Inclusive Leaders Do More Through Meaningful Connections
You Can Manage That – September 21, 2022
Power Leadership Forum Highlight Reel
Orchid Giving Circle – Power Leadership Forum – July 2021
Supporting AAPI talent in May and beyond – Journal of Accountancy podcast
Journal of Accountancy – May 20, 2021
Dreaming Big And Wishing Out Loud with Lisa Ong
Do you secretly wish for things but don’t know how to get them? Meet our guest, Lisa Ong, who shares the power of dreaming big and wishing out loud. Lisa Ong is widely known as a “talent gardener” and “inclusion connector”. Lisa is an…
Beyond Barriers – Episode 26
COVID-19’s Impact on the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Workforce
Kanarys recently had an informative conversation with Lisa Ong, president and founder of Wishing Out Loud LLC, about the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will likely continue to have, on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) workforce.
Kanarys
Past Speaking Engagements
Some of my past speaking engagement locations include:
Universities
- Penn State University
- The University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- The University of Dallas
- University of North Texas
- Texas Christian University
- Texas A&M Commerce
- Southern Methodist University
Professional Organizations
- AICPA (keynote speaker)
- Ascend (ascendleadership.org) 2017 Ascend National Convention Closing Keynote Ascend Talks 3.0: Ascend North Texas, Ascend New England, Ascend Greater Houston, Ascend Atlanta, Ascend Greater Philadelphia Chapter
- City of Plano Inclusion Summit (keynote speaker)
- D CEO Emerging Women’s Leadership Network (keynote speaker)
- PMI – Project Management Institute Dallas Chapter on “The Power of Wishing Out Loud”
- DFW* ATW (Alliance of Technology and Women)
- Texas Society of CPAs (keynote speaker)
Other Companies & Organizations
- Ameriprise Financial
- Beyond Barriers
- Kanarys
- D CEO 2020 Annual Diversity, Inclusion, and Impact Symposium (opening keynote)
- Frito Lay Pepsi Co.
- Liberty Mutual
- McKesson
- Mr. Cooper
- Ryan, LLC
- Texas Health Resources
- Toyota
Comments
Audience members recall my advice years later and often quote and pass it on. Some comments from my past evaluations have included:
- “Who knew diversity training could be fun? The time flew by so fast with her engaging stories of her experiences and practical advice.“
- “I enjoyed the stories that helped me see that I was not alone to inspire me to stretch to do better.“
- “I learned a great deal more than I expected.“
- “I shifted my perspective in a new way.“
- “I thoroughly enjoyed Lisa’s session. It was one of my favorites.“