In 1995, Mercedes Ramirez Johnson narrowly survived a serious accident that left her hospitalized for nearly three months. She has turned this tragedy into her life’s mission through her proprietary Second Chance Living™ concept, an innovative mindset and approach with a proven track record used in professional development programs around the world. 

Some of her clients that have adopted her mission are General Electric, Verizon, NASA, Chevron, Pepsico, ExxonMobil, The Army National Guard, numerous colleges and universities, and faith based organizations. 

Before becoming a speaker, Mercedes spent nearly a decade in high-level sales in the pharmaceutical and medical software industries. As a record-breaking, multimillion-dollar producer, she became the youngest female and sole Latino account executive at the medical information technology firm Cerner Corporation. 

Mercedes and her story have been the subject of considerable national and international media coverage. Her extensive media experience includes appearances on The BBC, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Health Channel and as a recurring guest on a number of nationally recognized syndicated talk shows and investigative reporting programs on the networks of ABC and NBC. In addition, numerous national magazines and major-market newspapers have run cover stories and special-interest pieces about her, and she was recognized as one of the country’s top young Hispanic up-and-comers by People Magazine’s Spanish edition, People en Español. 

Mercedes, her husband and their children reside in the Dallas area and are dedicated to philanthropic support for the National MPS Society — an organization that provides research grants and support to families living with terminally ill children.