We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cristiane Mersch a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cristiane, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience flows from my faith—trusting that with God I can do all things according to His purpose. It’s also fueled by my passion to live a life of legacy, leaving a lasting impact on others.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a community leader , philanthropist , I was honored with a Doctorate of Humanities in recognition of my global humanitarian work. I am also a licensed minister with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership in Brazil and the United States. Since immigrating in 2014, I have dedicated my mission to strengthening families, defending the unborn, and protecting children through faith-based advocacy. I serve on the boards of First Choice Pregnancy Services, Nevada Right to Life, and APCA, and in 2023 I founded the Nevada chapter of Moms for Liberty. I also hold leadership roles within the local Republican Party, supporting conservative candidates and strengthening grassroots engagement.
Fluent in four languages, I strive to be a bridge between cultures while leading with faith, truth, and courage. I have used pageantry as a platform for charitable causes, earning titles such as Miss Brasil Teen and Miss Paraná. Most recently, I represented Brazil in the Mrs. World 2023 international pageant, where I advanced to the semifinals among 80 contestants.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Cross-cultural Leadership , Communication, and Adaptability
Leading in Brazil and the U.S., in both ministry and civic spaces, taught me how to bridge cultures and connect with diverse groups while staying true to my values.
Advice: Stay teachable and curious. Learn from people of different backgrounds, languages, and experiences. Flexibility and humility make you a more effective leader wherever God places you.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
One book that has played a significant role in my development is “12 Rules for Life” by Dr. Jordan Peterson. It challenged me to take greater responsibility for my choices and reminded me that growth requires both discipline and courage.
A few of the most impactful nuggets of wisdom for me were:
“Stand up straight with your shoulders back.” A reminder that how we carry ourselves outwardly reflects and strengthens our inner resilience.
“Tell the truth—or, at least, don’t lie.” Integrity is the foundation of trust, leadership, and lasting influence.
“Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient.” Life isn’t about shortcuts or ease; it’s about building something lasting, even when it requires sacrifice.
These principles helped me integrate my faith, leadership, and advocacy with a deeper sense of purpose, responsibility, and boldness.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristiane_mersch?igsh=ZXlmc2NwdTBjZWZt&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19ZZu7Vvsc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristiane-mersch-ph-d-389b3a211?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
