Rafael Colón, president of Voices Internacional, is an international keynote speaker — fluent in English and Spanish — an author, master of ceremonies, management consultant, personal coach and certified facilitator. He speaks to corporate, association and government groups throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. He specializes in helping executive leaders and their management and sales teams to revitalize careers, achieve team unity and sustain peak level performance. He holds professional member status with the National Speakers Association and received the designation Competent Toastmaster (CTM) by Toastmasters International.
As a speaker, Mr. Colón is applauded for his energizing performances. He is a long-time meeting planner, organizer and coordinator of successful major conferences, workshops, seminars and training events, and former president of the Pacific Northwest Society of Government Meeting Professionals. He knows first-hand that professional meeting planners place great trust in their keynote speaker to set and sustain the pace for success. His attention to issues ensures that his message differentiates their events. Rafael was the first male selected to present at the 1995 Solutions Conference for Women.
As an author, Rafael’s book, Journey to Success: 8 Steps to Avoid the Career Dormido Virus, received the 1998 North American Book Exchange Best Business Book of the Year Award. The Spanish version, Viaje Hacia El Exito: 8 Pasos Para Evitar el Virus Dormido en su Carrera Profesional, received Second Place honor at the 2000 Latino Literary Hall of Fame Book Awards. His latest work-in-progress is a co-authored book, The Making of Mama’s Sweet Potato Pie, featuring uplifting stories of professional women and men primarily from African American and Hispanic cultures.
As a coach, Colón is recognized for stimulating amazing changes in client’s professional lives. Rafael’s personal coaching of Jose Cruz, Jr., major league baseball player, was highlighted in Sports Illustrated, The Seattle Post Intelligencer, and The Toronto Star. Cruz stated that "Rafael got me to see things in a positive light. He helped me look within, which really improved my performance." Mr. Colón is co-creator and facilitator of FOCUS: Career Renewal by Design, professional development retreats developed for a limited number of participants in Washington.
As Master of Ceremony, Rafael emcees the James Edward Olmos Latino Book and Family Festivals held in California, Chicago and New York. He hosted a weekly Spanish motivational radio program on KZTS 1360 in Seattle, and has been on CNN-Spanish, KMEX-Univision Affiliate in Los Angeles, and C-Span Books as a moderator of author panels at the Latino Festival.
As a facilitator, Rafael is applauded for ingenuity, effective use of adult learning principles, and creating enjoyable experiences for participants. Leadership and management clients often measure his success by the noted increase of respect participants show one another following his work. Rafael is valued for his ability to keep discussions on track while achieving dynamic interactions between all members of the team.
Mr. Colón was the first Latino to serve as the Administrator of Washington State’s Management Education and Development Program and first to be appointed to the Washington State Library Commission by the Governor of Washington State. His passion for excellence was twice recognized by the International Association of Personnel in Employment Security for advancement of professional education and personnel development in Puerto Rico with the Department of Labor and Human Resources.
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| a | "Rafael's commitment to developing human potential is outstanding. Rafael inspires new personal bridges with intelligence, insight and wit. He helps people really see and understand their achievements and inspires them to reach out to their vast potential. You will be inspired to take action after hearing Rafael speak." Les Brown
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| a | a"Rafael has a unique ability to see qualities in people that
they may not see in themselves. He has the talent to bring those qualities out, and
helps them become successful in ways they never imagined. Rafael has certainly done that
for me. I hold deep respect for what he stands for - excellence in individuals." Jan Thor |
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