Pegine (Peg-een) Echevarria is CEO of Team Pegine, Inc., a think tank, training and consulting firm specializing in leadership, diversity and inclusion training. Team Pegine serves diverse clients all over the world, including the military and federal government, as well as manufacturing-focused organizations.

Pegine is a motivational business speaker, consultant, personal coach, and author who teaches business and leadership development for women. Her passion is showing women how to communicate their value, and to become Feisty, Fearless, Focused, FUN, Female leaders. Her messages apply to men, too, and she also helps companies attract and cultivate female leadership. Pegine is the author of ‘Sometimes You Need to Kick Your Own Butt', ‘Bragging Rights: Transform Your Team in 21 Days' and ‘I've Got the Power To Lead & Think Big', among others.

The Power of Mentoring and Laughter
Pegine doesn't just talk the talk – as a former gang member who transformed her life, Pegine walks the walk. During her teenage years, Pegine ran with the "wrong crowd" on the tough streets of the Bronx. She joined a girl gang, and relied on her sharp wit and dynamic personality for "street credit".

Unfortunately, Pegine's charm wasn't enough to keep her out of trouble, and she wound up getting kicked out of high school. She eventually graduated from a different high school after a drama teacher there took Pegine under her wing. It was during this time that Pegine learned the power of mentoring, laughter and belonging to a group.

Become a Leader in Your Own Life
It was then, at age 18, that Pegine decided enough was enough and became a leader in her own life. She moved to Europe, and there Pegine turned her life around. She launched two businesses in Madrid, Spain, and sold them both at a profit by the time she was 23.

After selling her businesses, Pegine returned to the United States to finish her bachelor's degree. Her time in Europe taught her that "what you think is what you get", sales skills are important for everyone, and that change takes guts.

Once she was back in the States, Pegine's transformation continued. She became the top Evinrude salesperson at the New York Boat show. She was the National Sales and Operations Manager at Pierre Cardin/Gant menswear, and even opened up their Latino market. Pegine was also President of a women's direct sales catalogue company.

Through these experiences, Pegine became fascinated with the relationship between motivation, leadership and people. Specifically, why some people took advantage of opportunities while others didn't, and how organizations help or hinder individual success.

Creating Success
Pegine went on to earn a Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University. She founded the University's Cultural Diversity Committee. Along the way, Pegine designed and directed a Latino family support center that was named one of the top ten in the country by The Harvard Group Review.

Today, Pegine puts all her education, experience, energy, and wit into her inspiring programs. As is evident from her presentations, Pegine's hobby is performing stand-up comedy. Pegine is also passionate about volunteering for organizations benefiting the military, women and girls, and the Hispanic community.

In 2012, Clorox selected Hispanic motivational speaker Pegine as the spokesperson for their Dream Without Limits campaign. Her story and motivational quotes were featured in video and print pieces, as well as on the Clorox Latino Facebook page.