Changemaker Interviews

Rosemary Ravinal on Turning a Stutter into a Communication Superpower

Published

7 months ago

August 1, 2025

Rosemary Ravinal on Turning a Stutter into a Communication Superpower

Some people stumble into their calling. Rosemary Ravinal had to work through a stutter to find hers, then built a career helping others speak with purpose.

Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Rosemary Ravinal grew up with a stutter that began at age eight and lingered into her thirties. “The stigma of stuttering was a big impetus to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and public relations,” she says. She didn’t want to erase it. She wanted to get “on the other side” of it. That phrase captures her approach to communication: not perfect, just honest, practiced, and clear.

Over time, Rosemary transformed what once held her back into the very reason she shows up. Her work as a communications coach is rooted in that lived experience. “I am on a mission to slay the dragons of bad communication that hurt relationships, businesses, reputations, and civil society,” she says. Few of us are taught how to communicate well. She teaches the rest of us how to do it with purpose.

From corporate boardrooms to coaching stages

Rosemary’s background spans broadcasting, public relations, and corporate communications. She’s worked with brands like AT&T, Toyota, Avon, the History Channel, and TelevisaUnivision. In her former role as vice president of public relations at TelevisaUnivision Network, she led communications strategy for the world’s largest Spanish-language media company.

But in 2019, she stepped away to start something that felt more aligned. “As a former international media executive and broadcaster, I decided to transition to my first love, public speaking and transforming lives through clear and compelling communication.” Her firm, RMR Communications Consulting, was born from that intention.

And then came 2020. As the world shifted to Zoom, so did Rosemary. She created the ZoomScore™, a tool built around ten essentials for professional video meetings. “Competence and agility with virtual communications is necessary for success in business today and most people have not leveled up their knowledge,” she explains. That’s where she steps in.

Leadership that listens first

Rosemary’s coaching is deeply informed by her leadership style. “My leadership style is a mix of several archetypes,” she says. She identifies as a campaigner who motivates through connection and vision, an advocate who builds loyalty through empathy, and a defender who supports team harmony and well-being.

This balance is what makes her coaching so sought-after. She brings both presence and precision. She helps executives move past surface-level polish and into deeper credibility. And she doesn’t just teach leaders how to speak. She teaches them how to listen, how to be understood, and how to show up for their teams and audiences with consistency.

Success on her terms

Ask Rosemary how she defines success and her answer is grounded in values. “It means having the freedom to have fun and work hard at the same time. To do what I love and what makes a difference in the world.” For her, success isn’t about clout. It’s about evolution. “To evolve my inner life and tap the wisdom of the universe within and in nature,” she says.

Even during difficult times, she stays grounded by reconnecting to her purpose. “What keeps me motivated during difficult times? A sense of mission and purpose in life. Knowing that there is divine guidance around me if I choose to look and listen.”

Looking ahead with intention

These days, Rosemary is sharing her message far and wide. She’s preparing to speak on stages in Porto and Barcelona. This summer, she’ll teach a 10-week course on public speaking and presentation skills at Miami Ad School, helping the next generation of creatives show up with more confidence. She’s also the director of the Florida Speakers Association Academy, a past president of Miami-Wynwood Toastmasters, and oversees PechaKucha Night Miami, the Japanese storytelling series.

At home in Miami, she shares space with Chico, her chihuahua and emotional support dog. She also holds a master’s in Global Strategic Communications from Florida International University and is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America.

In 2026, she’ll release her first solo book, The Joy of Thinking Out Loud, which chronicles her personal and professional journey through stuttering and into leadership.

Learn from Rosemary Ravinal

For professionals looking to elevate their presence, Rosemary offers a free ebook titled Executive Presence: Earn Trust and Credibility on Any Stage. It’s a resource built for leaders who want to be heard clearly and remembered for the right reasons.

Because for Rosemary, communication isn’t just about saying the right words. It’s about being real, being ready, and being heard.