An interactive workshop that helps young people stop doubting themselves and start leading. Built on the four-part Hero C.O.D.E. Available as a hands-on workshop or a keynote.
Every Hero C.O.D.E. session takes students through four steps, each one paired with a short writing exercise they keep.
Face the fear and act anyway.
Rewrite the story you tell yourself.
Set a bold vision for what's next.
Write the plan and start.
Both are built for young people and both run on the Hero C.O.D.E. The difference is how deep the room goes.
The full experience. Every student writes, reflects, and shares. Four short exercises, one per letter of the Code, and each student leaves with a completed personal roadmap. Best for classrooms, mentoring programs, orientations, and any group ready to dig in.
The same story and the same Code, delivered to a bigger room. Props, show-of-hands moments, and audience call-and-response keep it lively without breakout work. Best for assemblies, leadership summits, orientations, and campus events. A 15-minute version works beautifully as a graduation speech.
Every session is built for the room. Clarissa adjusts length, activities, and format to your group's age, size, and setting. Middle schoolers work from a printed handout; college students and summit audiences use a QR code and their phones. Not sure which fits? Describe your group in the form below and she'll recommend one.
GOVERNMENT & COMMUNITY LEADER · BILINGUAL
A dynamic attorney, transformational leader, and public speaker with a 20+ year career across government, law, and policy. Appointed by two New York State Governors and twice confirmed by the Senate, she serves on the NYS Workers' Compensation Board. A proud daughter of immigrants, single-mom turned statewide leader, she blends powerful storytelling with practical leadership takeaways.
Clarissa expertly blends pop-culture icons with real-world heroes to help students make a connection with their own introspection process. Using language that the students understand and originating from a similar neighborhood, Clarissa gains the student's favor quickly. Learning the humble beginnings of accomplished people, including Clarissa herself, drives home the point that they too, can achieve greatness if they start with believing in themselves. This was one of the student's favorite sessions all summer and I can't wait for Ms. Rodriguez to return to campus!
Paul Nicholson
Director of Special Programs, SUNY Purchase
Clarissa, thank you for everything today. The girls were so engaged. The fact that you created a space where they could share and learn and engage in Spanish is super valuable and I loved your entire presentation. You're such a pro… and you're such an amazing speaker. You flow so seamlessly between English and Spanish. It was really, really good for our girls who are semi-shy with new people. You are amazing, so well done and so beautifully presented for our group of girls. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sam
LMI Statewide Coordinator
"I loved this presentation because I can relate to not feeling smart enough. Speaking to someone so successful from my same background makes me very happy"
Student #1
SUNY Purchase EOP, Summer 2026
"I struggle with imposter syndrome myself. I always doubt myself and think I don't belong or I'm not good enough, but your presentation made me feel a lot better. These past few months I have been trying to up my confidence and this just was a reminder to not give up."
Student #2
SUNY Purchase EOP, Summer 2026
"I loved what you had to preach and could relate as well. You didn't even need to have a presentation. What you had to say was way more important."
Student #3
SUNY Purchase EOP, Summer 2026
"Your presentation was so inspiring. I loved how the girls were so engaged, listening and participating. I personally enjoyed it as much as the girls; I know it was a God-given moment that I needed to attend that day. I will certainly be referencing your presentation to many people I know would benefit from it."
Desire
Mentor, LMI
"Incredible presentation! I love the manner in which it leads the girls to think about their own powers and potential for the future."
Fulvia
Mentor, LMI
"Fantastic! Enjoyed how you wove your personal story into the presentation. It gave the girls a tangible and excellent example that they could relate to as part of the exercise."
Belkis
Mentor, LMI
"The Hero C.O.D.E. workshop was informative, engaging and transformative: it taught our participants key skills for actualizing their dreams and goals."
Jennifer Rogers
Site Coordinator, NYC Public School MS-45
"An inspiring role model and a highly effective speaker, offering clear, practical guidance to help students prepare for life after graduation."
Dr. Mery Diaz, DSW, LCSW
Faculty Director, CREAR Futuros · CUNY
"Motivational and age-appropriate for young people. Students need role models like you, and you accomplished exactly that."
Dean Ana Garcia Reyes
Hostos Community College · CUNY
"The presentation's interactive framework proved to be the most resonant element for the participants. By using a superhero-themed story as a relatable anchor, Clarissa kept engagement high. This structure facilitated meaningful breakout discussions, allowing the girls to process Clarissa's prompts directly with their mentors and translate abstract concepts into personal insights. I personally loved the session! The superhero framing was a hit, and the insights shared were very relevant."
Principal Soto
Bronx, NY
Middle-school, high-school, college-age students and young adults. Content is tailored to your group's age and goals.
Yes. The Hero C.O.D.E. can be delivered fully in English, Spanish or bilingual.
Both. Clarissa presents on-site for schools and groups, or remotely for distributed audiences.
Workshop participants leave with their completed Hero C.O.D.E. handout, including the message they wrote from their future self. Educators receive follow-up discussion questions and a simple plan for keeping the Code alive in the weeks after the session.
Clarissa is an attorney and former cabinet-level agency head who led a 1,000-person New York State agency, was appointed by two NY Governors and twice confirmed by the State Senate, and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar. A bilingual keynote speaker and mentor with the Governor's NYS Latina Mentoring Initiative, she began her career as a community organizer in the Bronx and Brooklyn, and she's a proud mom of two beautiful daughters. Read her full bio →
The workshop is free. In return, Clarissa appreciates your feedback on how to improve the program, and any other feedback you'd like to share.
The Hero C.O.D.E. is for young people. For executives, nonprofits, government leaders, and conferences, Clarissa's adult keynotes and leadership talks live at clarissaspeaks.com.
Send your dates, group size, and language preference through the form below and we'll build a custom session.
Book the Hero C.O.D.E. workshop for your school or group, in English or Spanish.