Richard Montañez is a renowned motivational speaker, inventor, author, and accomplished business executive. With a career spanning multiple decades, he held pivotal leadership roles at PepsiCo across North American divisions, championing Multicultural Sales & Marketing initiatives.
Mr. Montañez began his PepsiCo journey in 1976 as a janitor at Frito-Lay, a testament to his unwavering dedication and pursuit of excellence. He stands celebrated as the creative force behind the creation of the Flamin’ Hot product line, which has evolved into a billion-dollar enterprise and a cultural phenomenon.
Recognized as a visionary leader and innovator, Richard Montañez has earned numerous prestigious awards and accolades, consistently ranking among the most influential Latinos in corporate America. Additionally, he serves on various boards of directors and advisory panels, notably as the first Latino board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a venerable African-American civil rights organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
A highly sought-after motivational speaker, Richard Montañez has addressed Fortune 500 companies, including HP, JPMorgan, Target, Toyota, Walmart, and New York Life, as well as prestigious academic institutions like the University of Southern California (USC) and Harvard University. His inspiring story has garnered extensive media coverage, featured in NPR, Vanity Fair, CBS News, The Washington Post, and Forbes.
Mr. Montañez’s captivating life story was chronicled in the best-selling Penguin Random House book ‘Flamin’ Hot.’ The book’s success led to its optioning for a film adaptation directed by Eva Longoria. The biopic premiered on both Disney+ and Hulu, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the 5th most-streamed film in its debut week. Richard Montañez’s inspiring story continues to fuel innovation and resilience, resonating with audiences worldwide.
