“Nando’s presentation on his life experiences was one of the best I have heard in my career with EY In providing a griping overview of his story and the impact on his life, he humanizes the experience with everyone in the audience while highlighting key life lessons such as the importance of teamwork, gut wrenching decision-making, and, perhaps most importantly, the need to focus on the most important things in life”. Buenos Aires 12.02 .2020
Channing P. Flynn | Partner, International Tax and Transaction Services | Global Tax Technology Sector Leader
Ernst & Young LLP
303 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, California 95110, United States of America
Website: http://www.ey.com
Dear Nando:
My wife is the director of the Town Hall Speakers Series. Out of all the speakers that I have had the pleasure of listening to in twenty three years, there is only one…just one, that I was honored to meet and it is you .! To me , the other speakers…the presidents, the Generals, the politicians, etc, etc..well, they are just speakers. Just men and women doing their job.
Nando, you are more than just a man. You are an inspiration for all who love life, family and the troubled world we live in.
Ken Kurtz
Desert Town Hall Speakers Series
From: Gulati, Ranjay
To: Nando
Subject: Re: Nando Parrado
I am writing to belatedly thank you Nando for delivering an outstanding speech. Please receive our thanks for your efforts to engage and connect with the audience. We sincerely hope to have you back back again in the future.All the best
Ranjay
Ranjay Gulati
Professor of Business Administration
Unit Head, Organizational Behavior
Chair, Advanced Management Program
Harvard Business School
Dear Nando
Those were the most intense 60 mins of my life and I am not the only one who felt like that.You were terrific and have made so many of us think about the meaning of life and the importance of family.We easily get distracted about the future and there is so much merit thinking about now and what we have. To me the other big learning is that if miracles can happen, once must be tenacious.
It is my honour to know you andI am hopeful we can be in touch and possibly meet in the future.If you are coming to the UK, please let me know and I will be delighted to meet with you.
Once again thank you so much for making the time and good luck to you and your family.
Best regards
Ahmed Mazhari
Global Head Sales and Client Relationships Genpact
Through all my years in the business world, I have seen and listened to many speakers.There have been average speakers, good speakers , excellent speakers, but EXCEPTIONAL speakers only one. Nando parrado ranks above them all. He is the best speaker I ever heard in my life.
Dawn Airey
SVP EMEA
Yahoo!
I have never seen some of the most influential and important lawyers in the world, frozen in their seats and listening so carefully to a speaker. Nando parrado galvanized the audience and without any doubt, he is the best speaker that our organization has ever had.
Michael Reynolds
President
International BAR Association
What an experience..! I had the pleasure of meeting Nando and introducing him to our guests. His keynote was outstanding and the standing ovation neverending. Hats off to the best speaker.
Vic Jocovic
Managing Director
Deutsche Bank AG Australia & New Zealand
Dear Nando:…again, many many thanks for speaking at our event yesterday. The feedback was absolutely outstanding..!! Everybody was moved and inspired beyond any explanation. Impossible to get a better speaker for our event.
Sincerely,
Emmanuel Clarke
CEO
PartnerRE
De: Ulbrich, Christian (EMEA)
Para: nando@parrado.com
Asunto: Your speech at our Leadership Conference in Amsterdam.
Dear Nando,
I would like to thank you once again for your outstanding speech which you have given to our most senior 350 directors from around the globe. As they are all very successful in what they are doing it is not easy to impress them. You have touched them all and for that hour Blackberry’s and Smartphones had a break. It is really impressive to see how you can connect with people from all continents and overcome cultural barriers. I have received lots of excellent feedback and most of them have immediately bought your book. People told me that they have tried to give your story to their children at home and I’m sure our Leadership Conference in Amsterdam will always be remembered due to your appearance.
All the best to you and your wife
Yours,
Christian Ulbrich
CEO EMEA
Jones Lang LaSalle Europe Ltd
Message to my agent Gail Davis, after keynote at EO Chicago on 9/23/2013
From: Rachel Nielsen [mailto:rachel@advancedevents.net]
To: Gail Davis
Subject: EO Chicago, Nando and Life in General
Gail,
I have been meaning to write this email since you left Chicago last Monday – and finally am sitting down to collect my thoughts and tell you how amazing the Nando experience was – including your involvement personally.
Nando mentioned that he does not consider himself a hero. This thought resonated with me for days until I could pinpoint exactly why I believe Nando is worthy of the title “hero”. Nando may say that each decision was made in attempt to keep as many people alive as possible and to simply survive the ordeal. That is enough to make a Hollywood blockbuster out of. However, I would also add that what makes Nando remarkable 40 years after the nightmare, are his daily decisions and demeanor since the rescue. Nando has lived life as a willing participant to make mistakes, share successes and keep what is important close to his heart. Those are the actions of a hero. This is the quality he exudes and why, I believe, he captivates audiences. He certainly captivated me.
Today I received the photos of the afternoon spent with EO Chicago. The looks on everyone´s face is evidence what a mesmerizing and successful experience we created. Your participation in the event was a huge part of that success, and I thank you for your support and participation in making this happen. (I will be sending you a link to the dropbox folder of photos shortly.)
Thanks again for effecting my life so personally with Nando’s presentation. It was a wonderful experience to share with you.
All the best,
Rachel Y Nielsen, CMP
Advanced Events, Inc.
De: Lesli.Jameson
Para: nando@parrado.com
Hi Nando – thank you for the note. I have finally made it back home and am getting back into the swing of things.
Few words can describe the impact you and your story had on our group. I thank you again for accepting our offer to speak. You are without a doubt the best speaker we have booked to date.
I Also thank you for the brief time we spent together – your words of wisdom and life experience will stay with me indefinitely. Thank you so much and if there is ever anything I can do for you when you’re in Dallas or just in general, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Lesli Jameson
Marketing Account Manager & Special Events
Allied Solutions
2805 N. Dallas Parkway
De: Ursula.Thalmann@partnerre.com
Dear Nando
A very warm THANK YOU that you accepted to speak at our event!! Our clients, and PartnerRe colleagues, were deeply touched about your story – and kept talking about it during the Baden-Baden week (and still talk about it – like we all do).
They were also deeply impressed about the way you told your story – and I am sure they will neither forget you, nor your story.
We got excellent feedback – so, many thanks, for making this such a successful event for us.
Personally, I was really delighted, and felt honoured, to finally meet you! The dinner with you and Veronique was a highlight – and I am deeply touched and impressed too. Also from Costas and Emmanuel, I only heard the best feedback – I think you really touched everybody with your speech – and as a person!
Meanwhile, with my very kindest regards,
Ursula Thalmann
Senior Communications Specialist
Client & Corporate Communications
Partner Reinsurance Europe plc
Zurich Branch
Bellerivestrasse 36
8034 Zurich
Switzerland
Nombre : Jeannine Doherty
Compañía : CIGNA HealthCare
Pais : United States
Asunto : Thank you!
Mensaje : I recently attended a CIGNA conference at Terranea Resort in Ranchos Palos Verdes, California where you were the guest speaker in the morning session and attended our dinner.You impacted my life and perspective tremendously, as no one other than my family has…. I will remember and cherish you message always. Thank you for sharing your experience, as you have changed me…..your decision to share your experience is a gift for us all.
Jeannine Doherty Phoenix, Arizona
Do not get a big head or conceited ……………………………………
Thought you would want to know you rated the highest score for a speaker in the 30 year history of the HP meetings. You rated a 9.2 and the only person to ever rate a 9.1 was the former CEO Carly Fiorina.
I am soooooo proud of you.
I know, you want to raise your fee!!! J
Gail Davis
Gail Davis & Associates, Inc.
From: Todd A. Smith
Subject: RE: Nando Parrado
Dear Mark
The only issue you face in opening with Nando is that you may set the bar so high with his presence that you could have a hard time living up to the experience for the rest of your education year .
Here are the ratings from our chapter on Nando as a resource. We had him present to our chapter and it was the best speaker ever to speak to us.
Resource Ratings
Resource Rating Overall: 9.66Knowledge of Subject: 9.93
Topic Overall: 9.86Involvement of Audience: 9.20
Best Regards
Todd A. Smith
Education Chair
Bluegrass Chapter.
FormWood Industries, Inc.
From: Lisa Lombardi
To: Lesley Irwin
Subject: RE: Nando Parrado Feedback
Hey Lesley,
Glowing reviews all around for Nando. Clients and attendees loved his presentation and really took something away from it. Nando is such a gentle and amazing person. We were honoured to have him and look forward to partnering with you again in the future. Thanks again for everything.
I’ll be back in the office next Monday (April 6th) if there are any other loose ends we need to tie up. It’s been a pleasure.
Cheers!
Lisa Lombardi
Branded Experiences Inc.
In all my 25 years with Boston Pizza, this is the best conference and the best speaker, that I have seen.
Terry Bicknell
Boston Pizza`s annual Convention
Scores are based on a scale of 1-4, where 1 is the least valuable and 4 is extremely valuable.
Nando Parrado Overall Score: 3.84
- Extremely inspiring..!
- An exceptional example of all aspects of being a leader:teamwork, influence, change, etc..
- A story all leaders can learn from.
- Telling his story was so powerful and he clearly throughout asked us to think about what we would do and reminded us of the context of making these decisions. Perfect..!
- Very inspirational and a great way to wrap up…
- The most influential and powerful speaker at the GILD conference. Nando gives a perspective that we all loose sight everyday and yet is crucial forcontentment and fullfilment.
- He really delivered…
- Incredible, draining,emotional story of human determination and triumph over impossible odds.
- Mr. Parrado`s story was phenomenal.
- Highly emotional experience. Shear determination and resolve. Sometimes we just do not have an answer. WOW..!
- Superb.
- Inspiring and wearing. Very humble.
- I love this guy…a tough note to leave on.
- Great story…he tied it to leadership so well.
- WOW…WOW….!!
Estimado Nando.
Me gustaria agradecer por tu fantástica charla, de verdade fue para mi una ocasion muy oportuna para reflexionar y pensar.
Entiendo perfectamente todo lo que sentiste y la emocion que aún hoy tienes en tu voz y tus palabras, quienes pierden como nosotros aprenden a valorar y disfrutar lo que realmente vale.
Fue un gusto almozar contigo y disfrutar de tu compañia , tener tu amistad es un honor para mi.
Saludos afectuosos
Miguel.
Miguel Gularte
Presidente Mercosul.
Eduardo Braun, C.E.O HSM
Nando Parrado is at the top of the evaluations of ALL the speakers used by HSM throughout its history as an organizer of the best global business events.
Whether in México, Spain, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Roma, Milan, U.S.A. and Asia, Nando Parrado is the best!.
Jerome Moisan – CEO Travelport, England
“When Nando got up to speak, there was this wonderful minute or so where you could feel a buzz of anticipation in the room. Feedback from our guests was extraordinary, especially as they all attend many senior corporate events every year – they were truly moved and thankful for the time with Nando. As a speaker, he is genuinely a one-off”
CNN – California
Incredible Honor…!!
After finishing his conference for CNN at Dana Point, California, something very moving happened. A warm long standing ovation happened after the conclusion of the conference and a second never ending one after the Q&A session. But, the most incredible honor for Nando Parrado, was that at the exit of the Ball Room of the St. Regis Hotel, the whole AV crew was standing in formation and clapping with reverence. The Director of the AV team said to Nando: “ We have done hundreds of AV work for some of the most important companies in the world, for the last twenty years. This is the first time that my whole AV crew, without any previous plan, stood and clapped in awe for a speaker…I have never have seen or heard that happening before in our industry.”
Van Doorne (The Netherlands)
Dear Nando,
This is just to let you know that we have greatly appreciated your presentations in the Neatherlands last week…
Nando Parrado got the most spontaneous, long and strong standing ovation, that I have ever seen in the whole history of the NSA (National Speakers Association). I have not seen before a speaker which could inspire an audience in such a way. Hats off to one of the best speakers in the world…!
Sam Silverstein, CSP
President of NSA
Phoenix
No speaker has ever inspired or moved me, like Nando Parrado has done today…
Bob Pike
Director NSA
Phoenix
This is the best conference that I have seen in my life…! The message, inspiration and presence of Nando Parrado at the NSA Convention, has moved me beyond comprehension. I can not thank him enough for being here…!
Melanie True Hills
Stobafib Org.
Greenwood, TX
Indeed my friend, your keynote speech was probably the most impactful
in my 30 year, 14 international award, career. I don’t tell you this
to brag but I do tell you this because I am proud to say… you were
the best keynote I have every had the pleasure of working with!
And while I don’t play rugby (even gentle rugby) I do feel I have a
new friend in you. Thank you so much for your heartfelt presentation.
Warmly,
Richard Lowy
Executive Producer/Creative Director
Branded Experiences,
Vancouver, Canada.
Dear Nando,
Thank you, I did return safe and sound to Sweden. I trust you did as well…but to Montevideo of course. Today I’m back in the office, and I feel empty. Some kind of “post-event-disorder” I assume.
I had high expectations on your presentation, but I must say that the impression you made on me was deeper than I could have imagined. And I know that I’m not the only one. In fact you got the highest score ever of any internal or external speaker at a Skanska Management Meeting throughout the years we have had the meeting. Again, thank you for coming to Orlando and telling us your story.
Until next time, enjoy life and take care,
Karin Lapasoon
Skanska (Sweden)
Group Communications Director
Dear Mr. Parrado:
The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) Annual Meeting is now history. I have no doubt that lives were changed over the course of those four days in Toronto…
In more than twenty years of listening to speakers, this is the best speaker and speech ever..! It changes lives….many thanks Nando.
Mark Lewis
CEO IBM Americas
We have been producing audiovisuals, for some of the most important companies in the UK and Europe, for more than twenty years. Nando Parrado is the best speaker I have seen. Outstanding, moving and absolutely engaging. A head above all other speakers I have seen. Simply… The Best.
Mark Walker
Presentation Services Providers Ltd.
The Matrix Studios.
London
Dear Nando
Having been told about you by Alberto Herrera & having read your book it was a pleasure, more than a pleasure, a thrill to meet you at the MDRT meeting this week. Your story was with out doubt the best part of an excellant meeting. Our members will long remember your message of hope & love. Thank you for sharing with us. We never know what impact we may have on the audiences we address, yours is more than a presentation, listening to you is life changing.
Sincerely
Tony Gordon
Million Dollar Reound Table
Toronto, CA.
Hi Nando,
Thank you so much for attending our conference. Your talk was fantastic, so moving and inspirational. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house!
I have witnessed many presentations in my career but I can say, without question, yours was the best.
Do let me know if you visit London and I will be delighted to buy you dinner.
Best regards
John
John McEwan – Chief Executive
Advantage – Specialists in Travel
London N1 7NH
Dear Nando,
Your speech was riveting. Your impact on the audience not to be forgotten. Most importantly, your presence all around us was felt, especially by our Linkage team. Thank you for being part of this. Would very much like to continue our relationship and look for other opportunities to engage you, including the possibility next year in one of our GILD programs sometime.
My very best regards, Phil
Philip J. Harkins
CEO
Linkage, Inc.
16 New England Executive Park
Burlington, MA 01803
“ I have brought to speak into our Organization, some of the best speakers in the world, in the last twenty years….but the best of the Best is Nando Parrado…”
Elyse Gut
Director HR Southwest Human Resources
“ The best ever speaker for our organization, has been Nando Parrado….consistently gets the best evaluations in every University, Area Conference or Chapter event he goes to….”
Y.P.O ( Young Presidents Organization)
“The best speaker in the 30 years of the company….it says it all…”
Hewlett Packard
Bravo…Too powerful for words..! Compelling…the best speaker and message I have ever heard..! I am speechless, I am overwhelmed…this will change my life.
Excellent…
Fascinating…
Wonderful story; moving experience. Renewed my sense of energy. We are strong.
Merryl Lynch Consumer Banking Symposium
San Antonio
“Nando Parrado en su presentación logra demostrar porque la palabra “Imposible” debe ser reemplazada en toda situación por “Improbable”. A su vez, demuestra como la palabra “Improbable” puede transformarse en “Posible”. Todos en nuestra Compañia coincidimos que nunca vimos una presentación en nuestras vidas que tuviese tan alto impacto en lo profesional y personal, llegando a lugares de nosotros mismos que nos hiciese repensar situaciones, decisiones y comportamientos esenciales. Nadie fue el mismo después de esta presentación. Hay un grupo de 16 personas que tienen una tremenda, sabia e incomparable experiencia que contarle al resto de la Humanidad y lo tienen a Nando Parrado como vocero.”
Sergio Prendoné Pita
HR Director Kraft Foods Int.
Hey Scott,
I am so glad that I made it a point to see Nando.
What he learned in the end, the story he told about
his father and “the Book,” well, that said it all.
The change in my household since then has been
a transformation. My attitude has certainly improved
and because of that, my children’s behavior has changed.
We had our first great weekend in ages. Max went to
a client lunch with me on Saturday in Westport. Helped
me for the first time ever with the Sunday dishes
not even being asked!!!
Olivia and I had a wonderful Mothers/Daughter Sunday,
no arguing. She even went to a People to People event
without a struggle. A miracle? Not of the magnitude of
Nando’s experience, but most certainly affected by it.
The trick will be to keep my new found perspective
on life and love front and center. I may need to get a
screensaver with his photo on it. Not a bad idea.
Thanks so much for making sure I didn’t miss this
experience. Truly lifechangeing.
With regard,
Beverly
Saatchi & Saatchi
I attended the first session of IBMs Hundred Percent Club. I have attended many seminars and motivational speaking sessions. This was by far one of the most moving inspirational and relevant speaking engagement that I have ever seen.
We as successful IBMers spend so much time away from our families that sometimes we forget the simple purpose for which we go about our business. The relevance of family first and its foundation was very moving to me. I dont believe upon conclusion of Nandos talk that there was a dry set of eyes in the audience.
Many thanks for the opportunity to share time with Nando…
Jason E. DeLoss
IBM
Georgia, USA
Hi Nando Im a sales rep for IBM and I was just in Palm Springs CA for our 100% Club.
I was so inspired by your story your determination and drive were amazing! First thing I did when I got back to Atlanta is to run out and get your book. Your story should be continued to be told all across the world.
Keep up the good work and again “Thank you” from the bottom of my heart for telling your story to my company!. I have two little boys that were waiting for me when I got home to Atlanta and the first thing I did was give them a big hug and kiss and tell them how much I love them. My family is my inspiration and thats the first thing I told them when I came home!
Good luck in everything you do….and take care!
Krista Perkins
IBM
Atlanta, USA
Mr. Parrado: I just want to thank you for that most powerful
speach in Palm Springs on Friday April 11. Your courage is something most of us will never know. I will definitely take to heart the message about family. And now I can hardly wait to get home and hug my family ! God Bless you. Sincerely,
Bob Wisnack
IBM
United States
Mr. Parrado: I was fortunate to be in the audience last Friday when you spoke to my colleagues at IBM in Palm Springs. I was 12 years
old when your plane went down and 14 when I first read the story in Alive.
It had a profound effect on me given the age of the principles was very
close to mine .. some 5 to 10 years apart. I had often wondered about
many aspects of the lives of the crash survivors … your story your
message was most inspiring. In leaving the conference hall after your
presentation many of my colleagues called home to tell their loved ones
that they missed them and loved them. Not a moment to waste. Thank you
for your message and the power of your spirit … it will certainly be something that will remain with me for a long long time. Have a great
life!
Stephen Dean
IBM
Palm Springs .
I am the Human Resource Director for Placer Electric, an I was invited to your seminar last week at the AIr force base, and I just want to say thank you so much, my life has been very touched…
I am not sure where to begin. My name is Katherine Ashmore, and I am writing to you because you have to be the one man who has influenced me so greatly in such a short space of time. Ever since I read about your life altering Andrean “adventure”, I have been so attached to your personal story…
Dear Nando:
Let me tell you once again how inspired we have all been with your speech and visit. I have participated in the organization of our Firm Conferences for more than 15 years now, and I don´t think we ever had someone who had your impact. And I couldn´t personally be more happy with the types of values and reflections you have helped us bring out, since it is of course all inside us. But it needs to be brought out, and you did that beautifully with your moving story and, perhaps even more, with your person. As my friend Jim Collins likes to say, leaderships is much more about being than about doing, and I believe you are leading many people these days Nando, inspiring us to live lives of impact and meaning, as individuals, professionals, and family members.
Claudio Fernández Araoz. Board Member EGON ZEHNDER INTL.
Dearest Nando:
Words cannot properly express how wonderful it was for me to host you, and the impact on our IBM teams is beyond what I could have imagined.
I know the experience changed people, their perspective both personally and professionally. To be able to do that, make a difference in the world is something you should be very proud.
I am so happy that we had success together, and I had the support and trust from Kark and my team to bring you to IBM. A significant impact was made and that is magical.
Please know you are never far from my mind and I am very grateful for the experience.
Nina Figur (IBM)
Dear Nando:
This is a long overdue thank you for your coming to Omaha, Nebraska for the Salvation Army´s D.J. Hero luncheon. I sincerely want you to know how much Paul and I appreciated the opportunity to hear you speak again and visit with you personally.
There are still many people in Omaha buzzing about your story, especially after reading your book. I have two girlfriends who were on the D.J. Hero selection committe and got to hear you that afternoon and have not stopped thinking about you ever since. They were so moved by your experience, they claim that they have been “changed”. You are changing so many lives around the world. God is accomplishing great things through your mountain-top experience!.
Another woman who attended the luncheon said, “All the women at our table could definitely feel God´s presence in that room.” How awesome!. Here´s another story that was shared with me by my brother-in-law, Fred. Fred went back to his office after hearing your message of loving one another and hugged all his employees, told them he loved and appreciated each one, then, gave them the rest of the afternoon off. It´s a ripple effect that you have created!. You inspire others to love one another with a sincere heart, to be the best they can be and to persevere through hard times. Please know that you have made an astounding impact on our community!.
I am honored to call you my friend and ask God to continue to bless and guide the work He has chosen for you. I pray that our pahts cross again some day and at that time I hope for the opportunity to meet your beautiful wife and daughters.
Warmes Regards and God´s Many Blessings,
Lori Hogan
Dear Nando,
Nando, you are an extraordinary man who has achieved extraordinary challenges with a style and dignity that I believe no other has even approached. The way you carry out your life, you care and love your family and keep such good relationships alive with your friends, is a wonderful example for all. No wonder you have received so many accolades, honours and privileges. They are well earned and you should be dutifully proud in every respect. You know you and yours are always deep in the heart of the Stewart family.
You are the Champion.
Love,
Jackie Stewart
I had the pleasure of hosting Nando Parrado for a couple of days, as he was preparing to give a talk to my lovcal chapter of the Young President´s Organization(YPO). Hearing about his experiences, created a lasting impression on me. Moreover, his demeanor, confidence and poise struck me as something I needed and wanted to learn more about. I found Nando to be the most pleasant, altruistic and confident person I had ever met. He was so confident with himself; he radiated serenity, which made him very charismatic and easy to be around.
Patrick Finley
Ohio YP
