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Speaker, author & storytelling advocate

Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Transform immigrant narratives with Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, speaker, memoir author and storytelling advocate. Elizabeth empowers organizations through diversity leadership and resilience expertise, featured on NPR with her New York Times Editor's Pick memoir "My Side of the River."

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Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, Speaker | Author, Advocate
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez

New York City, United States

Typical fee range

$11k–25k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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New York City, United States

Starting from

$11k–25k

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+44 203 835 2929

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Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez's biography

At a glance

  • Author of My Side of the River praised by NYT and People Magazine
  • Gave a TED Talk with over a million views on immigrant experience
  • Transitioned from finance to tech, becoming a Product Manager at Meta
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez is a storyteller, advocate, and the author of My Side of the River, a memoir published by St. Martins Press/Macmillan in February 2024. Born and raised near the US-Mexico border in Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth's upbringing was marked by resilience and determination. At 15, when her parents were forced to return to Mexico due to issues with their immigration status, Elizabeth chose to remain in the U.S., navigating homelessness while fiercely pursuing her education. Her journey from adversity to achievement culminated in her graduation as valedictorian, a testament to her unwavering resolve. Elizabeth then pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated in 2018, earning a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. During her time at Penn, Elizabeth was selected as The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar of the Year, a U.S. Department of State Gilman Scholar, and a part of competitive business programs at Harvard and Stanford. Upon graduating, Elizabeth worked in finance as one of the few Latinas on the trading floor within Wells Fargo’s Markets division. In February 2020, she was selected out of 1000 internal Wells Fargo applicants to participate in Wells Fargo’s Ignite partnership with the TED Institute. Her TED Talk recounts her story of finding opportunity and stability in the U.S. while examining flaws in narratives that simplify and idealize the immigrant experience. Within a month, her talk reached over a million views. In June of 2021, Elizabeth transitioned from working in finance to technology, becoming a Product Manager at Meta, where she hopes to continue to use her background and knowledge to empower communities. Since the publication of her memoir, My Side of the River, in February of 2024, she has been featured on Hola Magazine and NPR. Her book has also been praised as a New York Times Editor's Pick, People Magazine Best Book to Read in February, and one of Goodreads' Most Anticipated Books of 2024.

Elizabeth's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Activism And Social Justice
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez discusses the importance of activism in achieving social justice, emphasizing the role of community involvement and personal commitment in driving societal change.

Why we recommend booking Elizabeth

Elizabeth brings a unique blend of resilience, insight, and real-world experience from her journey from homelessness to Harvard and Stanford programs, and onto the trading floors of Wells Fargo and the innovative corridors of Meta. Her compelling story of overcoming adversity, coupled with her achievements in finance and technology, offers invaluable lessons on diversity, perseverance, and innovation. Booking Elizabeth as a speaker will inspire your team or business with a fresh perspective on overcoming challenges and achieving success against all odds.

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Testimonials

You are so inspiring and your story is so motivational and driven!! Thank you for sharing!

"Essex Property Trust, Inc."

Featured Projects

Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez - My Side Of The River book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez for my next event?
Email elizabeth.camarillo.gutierrez@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Elizabeth's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez's speaking style like?
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez draws on memoir and personal narrative, structuring her talks around her own lived experience — from navigating homelessness at 15 after her parents were deported, to graduating as valedictorian and working in finance and tech — to examine systemic flaws in how the immigrant experience is portrayed.
What topics does Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez specialise in?
Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez speaks on activism and social justice, immigration and the immigrant experience, and personal resilience and adversity. Her memoir, My Side of the River, published by St. Martin's Press in February 2024, was named a New York Times Editor's Pick and a People Magazine Best Book, and her TED Talk on the immigrant experience surpassed one million views within a month of release.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

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A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

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Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

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Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

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How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

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