Harness your power to create change
From a Bar of Soap to a Global Movement:
Meet Dr. Derreck Kayongo
What if the small, forgotten bar of soap in your hotel bathroom held the power to change the world?
What if those tiny plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash could spark a global shift in how we care for both people and the planet?
Meet Dr. Derreck Kayongo visionary innovator, CNN Hero, and former refugee turned global change-maker.
With one simple yet revolutionary idea, the Global Soap Project.
he transformed discarded hotel soaps into lifesaving supplies for those in need, while inspiring the hospitality industry to embrace sustainable practices like refillable shower canisters.
Today, thanks to his bold vision, what once was waste has become a model for environmental responsibility and corporate transformation.
Dr. Kayongo doesn’t just tell a story; he ignites a movement.
His journey from fleeing war to reshaping an entire industry is proof that one person’s idea can ripple across continents.
If you’re looking for a speaker who can stir hearts, move minds, and leave audiences ready to act, Dr. Kayongo is your voice of inspiration.
Derreckism: “Change doesn’t wait for perfect tools,it begins with the courage to pick up what others leave behind and turn it into tomorrow’s hope.”
Keynotes
Keynote Titles and Topics for Derreck Kayongo
Building a Legacy: Turning Passion into Purpose and Impact
Description
What does it take to turn a simple idea into a lasting legacy?
Derreck Kayongo’s Global Soap Project revolutionized the hotel industry and improved global health, demonstrating the power of purpose-driven innovation. In this transformative keynote,
Derreck introduces his L.E.G.A.C.Y framework—Legendary Leadership, Eagle-eyed Focus, Unlocking Genius, Adaptability, Capacity to Synthesize, and You.
By sharing his journey from refugee to visionary entrepreneur, Derreck inspires audiences to embrace their passions, overcome obstacles, and create meaningful legacies that outlast them.
How to Harness Your Power to Create Change
Description
In a world filled with uncertainty, injustice, and rapid transformation, each of us holds untapped power to make a difference.
In this dynamic and inspiring keynote, CNN Hero and global thought leader Dr. Derreck Kayongo shares his personal journey from a childhood as a refugee to becoming the founder of the Global Soap Project to illustrate how ordinary individuals can create extraordinary change.
Blending humor, storytelling, and practical insight, Dr. Kayongo explores the inner tools we all possess courage, resilience, empathy, and vision and how to activate them to become agents of positive disruption in our communities, organizations, and the world.
This talk will leave audiences motivated, equipped, and ready to stop waiting for change... and start becoming the change.
Key Takeaways:
Discover your unique power and influence in any environment
Learn strategies to overcome fear and resistance to change
Build a purpose-driven mindset for impact and leadership
Turn personal experiences into platforms for transformation
Perfect for corporate teams, nonprofit leaders, students, and changemakers of all backgrounds, this keynote is a call to action: to step into your purpose, speak your truth, and lead change with authenticity and boldness.
The Power of S.E.L.F.: Unlocking Service, Education, Leadership & Faith for Lasting Impact
Description
What drives real, lasting change? In this powerful keynote, global humanitarian and CNN Hero Dr. Derreck Kayongo unpacks his remarkable journey from Ugandan refugee to visionary entrepreneur and founder of the Global Soap Project.
His formula for success is rooted in one transformative principle: S.E.L.F.—Service, Education, Leadership, and Faith.
With humor, authenticity, and unforgettable storytelling, Derreck reveals how tapping into the power of S.E.L.F. equips individuals and organizations to rise above adversity, lead with courage, and build movements that matter.
Whether you're a corporate leader, nonprofit trailblazer, or emerging changemaker, this talk delivers the tools and mindset you need to lead with heart and drive bold results.
Key Takeaways:
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Activate the four pillars of S.E.L.F. to drive meaningful change
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Transform challenges into opportunities through personal accountability and faith
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Learn how to lead with both vision and vulnerability
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Inspire your team and community through purpose-driven action
A Derreckism to Remember:
“When you know your S.E.L.F., the world will know your purpose.”
Harnessing the Power of S.E.L.F.: A Blueprint for Social Impact and Leadership
Description
Harnessing the Power of S.E.L.F.: A Blueprint for Social Impact and Leadership
Description:
From Ugandan refugee to successful entrepreneur, Derreck Kayongo’s journey is a testament to the power of Service, Education, Leadership, and Faith (S.E.L.F.).
As founder of the Global Soap Project, Derreck turned a simple idea recycling hotel soap into a global movement improving hygiene and saving lives. In this inspiring presentation, he shares how personal accountability, team empowerment, and relentless faith can drive extraordinary outcomes.
Perfect for leaders, innovators, and changemakers, this keynote offers a roadmap for transforming passion into impactful action.
The Corporate Moral Compass: Transforming Diversity into a Competitive Advantage
Description
Discrimination in the workplace costs more than we realize impacting morale, brand reputation, and even stock prices. Derreck Kayongo, former CEO of the Center for Civil and Human Rights and founder of the Global Soap Project, brings a fresh perspective to the importance of Diversity & Inclusion.
In this compelling keynote, Derreck challenges organizations to develop a “Corporate Moral Aptitude,” a cultural intelligence akin to Emotional Intelligence but tailored to addressing unconscious bias and fostering inclusivity.
Audiences will leave with actionable strategies to reimagine workplace culture, unlock innovation, and build a more inclusive future.
Transforming Passion into Purpose, Power, and Impact
Description
What does it truly take to build a legacy that outlives you? In this electrifying and soul-stirring keynote, CNN Hero and social innovator Dr. Derreck Kayongo takes audiences on a journey from his humble beginnings as a refugee to founding the Global Soap Project a groundbreaking initiative that redefined corporate responsibility and saved lives worldwide.
At the heart of this talk is Derreck’s powerful L.E.G.A.C.Y. framework:
Legendary Leadership, Eagle-eyed Focus, Genius Unlocking, Adaptability, Capacity to Synthesize, and You. With authenticity, humor, and profound insight, Derreck shows how anyone—regardless of background or resources—can turn their passion into a force for lasting good.
Key Takeaways:
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Discover how to align personal passion with impactful purpose
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Learn actionable tools from the L.E.G.A.C.Y. framework to build influence and drive innovation
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Develop adaptive leadership skills in the face of challenge and change
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Understand the power of vision, focus, and resilience in legacy-building
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Be inspired to lead with courage, creativity, and compassion
A Derreckism to Remember:
“Your legacy isn’t what you leave behind—it’s what you ignite in others while you're still here.”
This keynote is ideal for leaders, students, professionals, and changemakers ready to step beyond success and into significance
The Corporate Moral Compass: Leveraging Diversity as a Strategic Superpower
Description
Discrimination isn’t just a social issue it’s a business risk.
In this eye-opening and empowering keynote, former CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Global Soap Project founder Dr. Derreck Kayongo unpacks the real cost of exclusion in the workplace from weakened morale to damaged brand equity.
But more importantly, he shows how companies that develop what he calls “Corporate Moral Aptitude” an evolved form of cultural intelligence can turn Diversity into a bold competitive advantage.
Blending real-world data, compelling storytelling, and his signature wit, Derreck challenges organizations to move beyond the diversity checkbox into a space of transformative inclusion.
He shares proven strategies to identify unconscious bias, foster authentic belonging, and unlock the innovation that comes from truly diverse teams.
Key Takeaways:
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Understand the economic and cultural impact of workplace discrimination
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Learn how to cultivate Corporate Moral Aptitude within your leadership culture
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Build inclusive teams that foster innovation, trust, and loyalty
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Transform Diversity from a compliance goal into a business growth strategy
A Derreckism:
“Diversity is not just about counting heads—it’s about making every head count.”
Keynote Titles and Topics for Derreck Kayongo
Building Safer, Sustainable Products for a Healthier World
Healing Without Harm: Rethinking Chemicals in Healthcare for Safer Patient Outcomes
Investing in Clean: Why Safer Chemicals are the Next ESG Frontier