Greg Clark
Global Urban Expert, CBE | Author of 10 Books | Chair, Connected Places Catapult | Board Member, Transport for London
Ismael Cala
Emmy Award-Winning Journalist | Former CNN en Español Host | Bestselling Author of 18 Books | Founder, Ismael Cala Foundation | Global Expert on Leadership & Mindfulness
Few voices in Latin America command the trust and influence of Ismael Cala. As the Emmy-winning host who brought over 2,500 world leaders and icons to millions through CNN en Español's "Cala," he has spent decades at the intersection of media, leadership, and cultural transformation. Now, as founder of the Ismael Cala Foundation and bestselling author of 18 books, he helps organizations build emotionally intelligent cultures where conscious leadership and Latino excellence thrive.
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Ismael Cala biography
Ismael Cala is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and one of Latin America’s most influential voices on leadership, personal development, and mindfulness. As founder and president of the Ismael Cala Foundation, he has impacted millions through his work promoting emotional intelligence, conscious leadership, and social transformation across the Spanish-speaking world.
Motivational speaker Ismael Cala gained international recognition as host of CNN en Español’s “Cala,” where he conducted over 2,500 interviews with world leaders, Nobel laureates, business titans, and cultural icons. His groundbreaking interview style combined journalistic rigor with emotional depth, earning him three Emmy Awards and positioning him as one of the most trusted voices in Spanish-language media. Before joining CNN, he served as anchor for Telemundo’s “Cada Día con María Antonieta,” reaching audiences across the United States and Latin America.
Beyond broadcasting, Cala has built a powerful platform as an author and thought leader. He has published 18 bestselling books on leadership, mindfulness, and personal transformation, including El Poder de Escuchar (The Power of Listening), Un Buen Hijo de P… (A Good Son of P…), and El Analfabeto Emocional (The Emotional Illiterate). His books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into multiple languages, establishing him as a leading authority on emotional intelligence in the Spanish-speaking world.
Founder, Ismael Cala Foundation
In 2014, Cala founded the Ismael Cala Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing leadership skills and promoting conscious living among youth and adults across Latin America. The foundation has trained over 200,000 people through its educational programs, scholarships, and social initiatives focused on emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, and community development.
His influence extends to the corporate world, where he serves as a sought-after consultant and trainer for Fortune 500 companies and Latin American corporations seeking to build conscious leadership cultures. He has delivered keynote speeches and training programs for organizations including Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Toyota, and BBVA, helping leaders develop the emotional and strategic tools needed to navigate complex business environments.
As a speaker, Ismael Cala brings rare authenticity and cultural resonance to audiences across the Americas. His presentations blend practical leadership frameworks with mindfulness techniques and storytelling that connects deeply with Latino and multicultural audiences. Leaders value his ability to address both professional excellence and personal fulfillment, offering actionable strategies for building emotionally intelligent organizations while maintaining cultural authenticity and values-based leadership.
Ismael Cala Speaking Videos
Ismael Cala - Los 5 Retos del Lider de Hoy
Ismael Cala - How neutrality shapes your happiness
Ismael Cala Keynote Topics
Cala explores how emotional intelligence forms the foundation of effective leadership in today's complex business environment. Drawing from his thousands of interviews with world leaders and his foundation's work training over 200,000 professionals, he provides practical frameworks for developing self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation in leadership roles. Audiences learn how to create psychologically safe environments, navigate difficult conversations with authenticity, and build cultures where emotional intelligence drives both performance and retention.
Based on his bestselling book El Poder de Escuchar, this keynote reveals how conscious listening creates competitive advantage. Cala demonstrates the listening techniques he used to conduct groundbreaking interviews with presidents and CEOs, showing leaders how to move beyond transactional hearing to transformational understanding. He provides actionable strategies for improving stakeholder relationships, uncovering hidden opportunities through better listening, and building trust through genuine presence and attention.
Cala presents a practical approach to integrating mindfulness into leadership practice without sacrificing results. He shares evidence-based techniques for maintaining focus under pressure, making clearer decisions amid complexity, and sustaining energy through demanding schedules. This session is designed for executives who want to enhance their leadership effectiveness through practices that improve both personal wellbeing and organizational outcomes, offering tools that can be immediately implemented in daily routines.
Drawing from his unique perspective bridging Latin American and North American business cultures, Cala addresses the opportunities and challenges of multicultural leadership. He explores how Latino leaders can leverage cultural strengths—including relationship orientation, adaptability, and community focus—while navigating corporate environments that may undervalue these qualities. This keynote is essential for organizations building diverse leadership pipelines and for Latino executives seeking to advance while maintaining cultural authenticity.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Ismael Cala
Why Ismael Cala?
Booking Ismael Cala for your event is a strategic investment in leadership development and organizational culture transformation. As an Emmy Award-winning journalist who conducted over 2,500 interviews with world leaders on CNN en Español and bestselling author of 18 books on leadership and emotional intelligence, Cala offers unparalleled insights into conscious leadership, mindfulness in business, and personal transformation. His unique ability to bridge Latin American and North American business cultures makes him invaluable for multinational organizations and companies with diverse workforces. Through his Ismael Cala Foundation, he has trained over 200,000 professionals across Latin America, demonstrating proven methodologies for developing emotionally intelligent leaders. His presentations combine journalistic credibility, practical frameworks, and cultural authenticity that resonate powerfully with Latino and multicultural audiences. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book Ismael Cala for your next corporate event or leadership summit.
What is Ismael Cala's background?
Ismael Cala was born in Santiago de Cuba and began his career in Canadian broadcasting before rising to international prominence. He worked as a radio and television host in Canada, where he honed his interviewing skills and developed his signature empathetic communication style. His breakthrough came when he joined CNN en Español as host of "Cala," a nightly talk show that became one of the network's most-watched programs. Over six years, he interviewed presidents, CEOs, artists, and thought leaders, establishing himself as one of the most respected journalists in Spanish-language media. After leaving CNN in 2017, he founded the Ismael Cala Foundation and expanded his work as an author, speaker, and leadership consultant, focusing on emotional intelligence and conscious leadership development across Latin America.
How many books has Ismael Cala written?
Ismael Cala has authored 18 bestselling books on leadership, personal development, and mindfulness. His most influential titles include El Poder de Escuchar (The Power of Listening), which explores conscious communication; Un Buen Hijo de P…, a personal memoir about overcoming adversity; El Analfabeto Emocional (The Emotional Illiterate), addressing emotional intelligence deficits in modern society; and Despierta con Cala (Wake Up with Cala), offering daily practices for mindful living. His books have sold millions of copies throughout Latin America, Spain, and the United States, and several have been translated into English, Portuguese, and other languages. His writing style combines journalistic storytelling with practical self-improvement frameworks, making complex leadership concepts accessible to broad audiences.
What topics does leadership speaker Ismael Cala cover?
Ismael Cala specializes in conscious leadership, emotional intelligence, mindfulness in business, personal transformation, and Latino leadership excellence. His keynotes address building emotionally intelligent organizations, developing authentic leadership presence, navigating cultural dynamics in multinational companies, implementing mindfulness practices for high-performance teams, and creating purpose-driven cultures. He is particularly effective for organizations seeking to strengthen their Latino leadership pipeline, improve cross-cultural communication, or build more human-centered workplace cultures. His presentations are ideal for leadership summits, diversity and inclusion initiatives, sales conferences, and corporate retreats where senior executives and emerging leaders need practical tools for sustainable success. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Ismael Cala can customize his message for your specific organizational goals and audience composition.
How to book Ismael Cala as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Ismael Cala as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Ismael Cala's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Ismael Cala or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Ismael Cala speaking fee?
Ismael Cala speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Ismael Cala to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Ismael Cala.
How can I contact Ismael Cala?
We only work with Ismael Cala on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Ismael Cala and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Ismael Cala speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Ismael Cala for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Ismael Cala for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Ismael Cala is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Ismael Cala for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
