Meet Wanda La Russa | Professional Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wanda La Russa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wanda, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I have a genuine talent for connecting with audiences and have been consistently praised as a source of encouragement by friends and event directors alike. I’m a charismatic speaker and facilitator and my love of connecting with people imbues my workshops with laughter and energy.

My favorite quote is: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Gandhi

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a Professional Speaker and over the past 20 years, I have joyfully immersed myself in the uplifting of women of all ages by teaching, inspiring, motivating, and empowering them to enrich, improve and enhance their well-being, and personal relationships, and professional lives. I have trained, taught, and spoken to various groups of girls and women at retreats, sales training, community, and corporate events through demonstrations and participation. My workshops are engaging, interactive & enjoyable and participants truly enjoy my dynamic energy while learning how to improve their lives.

I was a reputable & established speaker in Northern California, but when I relocated to the DFW Metroplex in 2018, I was not known in the community. I understood the importance of marketing/advertising/promoting my professional speaking business so I immediately began to attend networking events, mixers, and going to places where business-minded people gathered.

As I interacted with people, my questions were: Does your team, group, organization, or company need a relevant speaker? Are you looking for someone who is dynamic? Someone who can resonate with your audience? Someone who can add value to your event? If the answer was YES then I asked them to allow me to bring my unique blend of fun and facts to their organization’s next meeting. If the answer was NO then I asked them: Who do you know? I informed them that if they could think of anyone who might be open to work with me, I’d really appreciate it if they would connect us.

Even though it took a little while for me to become known in the area, event planners eventually began to contact me and my calendar has been filled with numerous speaking gigs. I’ve been hired as a: Keynote Speaker, Master of Ceremonies, and Guest Speaker on podcasts and have conducted my workshops numerous times.

A closed mouth doesn’t get fed!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend and I are self-proclaimed foodies which means we have an avid interest in the latest food fads and enjoy trying new dishes at restaurants and willing to try all kinds of foods, meals and ingredients. I would schedule several food tours with the company DALLAS BITES & SIGHTS. Tours are typically on an air-conditioned motorcoach and visit at least 4 local venues on a certain theme (Tacos, Wine Tasting, Chocolate, BBQ, Bacon, etc.). The tour host guides the group, talking about Dallas neighborhoods, landmarks, trivia about the city or the theme of the tour (i.e. they play Chocolate Trivia for chocolate prizes on the Chocolate Tours) and makes sure everyone has a great time! The venues include some of the finest locally owned stores that showcase the heart of food and culture in Dallas. Most are award-winners in their respective culinary realms. I would also make arrangements so my best friend and I could participate in some of the company’s walking tours–such as the Bishop Arts Tour, Downtown Dallas Walking Tour, Trinity Groves, Deep Ellum and McKinney Tours–that are filled with food and history of some of the most colorful areas in the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every year American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) chapters emphasize the outstanding achievements of their members by electing a Woman of the Year. This award was designed so that every chapter can annually recognize a member who has made notable contributions and outstanding achievements in their local chapter and community. The recipient must demonstrate ways in which she went above and beyond with her participation, leadership and achievement in helping her chapter row and prosper over the course of the previous year. The Lakeside Leaders Chapter named me, Wanda La Russa, as the 2022 Woman of the Year and I represent the chapter in a national spotlight among other members of ABWA. Being named Woman of the Year is a great honor – one that’s highly respected by ABWA members. I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award.

Website: https://wandalarussa.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandalarussa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wandalarussa

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wanda_larussa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/info.wandalarussa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wandalarussa