Hi, I’m Ariana Vargas.
I’m a professional speaker, filmmaker, founder, and brand strategist who believes stories can change the way we see ourselves and each other.
My talks explore hope, belonging, identity, stigma, leadership, and human connection. As a social impact documentarian, I draw from years of interviewing hundreds of people about the parts of their lives we’re often taught to hide, along with my own experiences, to create conversations that are deeply human, practical, and hopeful.
I want people to leave feeling seen, challenged, and a little more capable of believing that what they do next matters.
Previous speaking clients and events include
One of the proudest moments of my speaking career came when I stood onstage at TEDxPortland, the largest TEDx event in the world, in front of 4,000 people telling a deeply personal story about my son.
Whether I’m speaking as a keynote at a conference or virtually to Employee Resource Groups during months of recognition, my goal is always to model vulnerability so that people feel empowered to share their stories, think differently, and leave feeling more connected to themselves and eachother.
At the heart of my work is a simple idea: when people feel seen, heard, and valued, something becomes possible that wasn’t possible before.
Keynote Speaking
I approach panel moderation the same way I approach a great interview: do the homework, ask thoughtful questions, listen closely, and create space for people to reflect in real time to ideas that shift perspectives.
My goal is to make the conversation feel natural while hitting some of the key points organizers want audiences to walk away remembering. I believe the best panels are those that make the audience feel like they were actually part of an intimate conversation that was emotionally memorable.
Panel Moderation
Some of my favorite moments onstage happen when I’m not delivering a speech but when I’m setting someone up to shine or teeing up a great story.
Whether I’m interviewing a featured guest, hosting a fireside chat, or emceeing an event, my goal is to create a sense of belonging and connection that help audiences feel like they’re part of the conversation.
Fireside Chats + Event Emcee
