She goes by her first name Pegine (Pe-geen), if it's good enough for Oprah, Shakira and Madonna it's good enough for her.  New York Newsday calls Pegine "a walking one-woman antidote to workplace cynicism." Feisty and fun, Pegine is one of 58 inductees into the prestigious Motivational Speakers Hall of Fame (awarded by GetMotivation.com) that includes luminaries Zig Ziglar, Dale Carnegie and Tony Robbins. She is the first Latina and one of only 8 women inducted.  

Pegine is an expert on leading in a diverse world and empowering people to be leaders. She motivates leaders in a diverse world!  Pegine presented with such notables as Maya Angelou, John Maxwell, and Suze Orman, as well as two US Presidents, two US Secretaries of State, 1 four-star General, several admirals/generals from all branches, and a US surgeon general. She testified before congressional members and congressional commissions. Not bad for a former gang member.

Business and news shows seek her enthusiastic, bold insights including CNN, MSNBC and NPR and was the on air expert regarding leadership and inclusion for business success for Newstalk Television. Interviews include The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, Fortune, BusinessWeek and various consumer magazines.

Pegine is the author of Sometimes You Need to Kick Your Own Butt (one of SHRM's best-selling books) and Bragging Rights: How to Transform Your Team in 21 Days!; Take Charge and Lead: Ten Truths to Lead in a Diverse World and is completing Lighten Up and Lead: How to be a Feisty, Fearless, Focused and Fun Female Leader.  She is creator of two scalable licensed programs White Guys Are Diverse Too(TM)! currently used by Sodexo (#1 Diversity Inc. corporation), the U.S. Navy and National Guard Bureau as well as G.E.M.S. ROCK(TM) which is being used by Harley Davidson.

Pegine is one of fewer than 700 speakers worldwide awarded the Certified Speaking Professional designation. The CSP is awarded to professional speaking and training businesses after undergoing a rigorous independent audit for expertise, eloquence, enterprise and ethics. The audit, conducted by the National Speakers Association, included interviewing and surveying clients, evaluating five years of documented business practices including ethics, customer service, client ROI, financial review, and marketing as well as her presentation style.

She holds a Masters in Social Work in group and organizational behavior, and has received numerous awards for her work on leadership, inclusion, and volunteerism. The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) named her one of 100 Global Thought Leaders on Diversity and Inclusion.

Pegine grew up in the Bronx, was in a gang, then when her sister became a junkie Pegine decided enough was enough. She moved to Spain at 18, opened two businesses which she sold at a profit. Upon her return to the US (at 23) she moved up rank from receptionist to National Sales Manager and eventually President of a Direct Sales company. She founded Team Pegine Inc 16 years ago and last year was named the Small Business Administration's Women in Business Champion for Florida.

Pegine enjoys being uncomfortable. She knows you can't grow in life or as a leader without being uncomfortable, changing and laughing. She loves facing her fear by performing at comedy clubs.

Her son and daughter both serve in the military. She is founder of Success4Vets - a military transition initiative to support, inspire and educate military professionals to manifest success in the civilian world.

CEO John Lin of Cookie Lee, a direct selling company for women entrepreneurs says, "Her presentation style is very entertaining, humorous and attention grabbing.   Her message strikes a great chord with our consultants.   She builds confidence in her listener and inspires them to aim high. Her background of hard knocks to success is very inspirational. "

"Pegine's provocative presentation and bold delivery on diversity kept my acute attention-waiting for what she would say next and not being disappointed at any turn. She led us to think differently and to think out of the box. She's real, she's passionate and she's changing the world with her creativity and message." Rebecca S. Halstead U.S. Army Brigadier General (retired)