At the heart of human progress are two timeless truths: stories shape culture, and trust sustains it.

In this talk, I explore how stories and culture fuel transformation—and why Puerto Rico is at the beginning of an extraordinary global brand moment. In just a few years, its reputation has skyrocketed, showing what happens when collective storytelling builds momentum.

The second theme is trust. From insurance to fintech, blockchain to crypto, the common thread is building systems people can rely on. Historically, trust structures were created in an analog world (like the FDA, born just over a century ago after The Jungle exposed food safety abuses). Today, we stand at a similar turning point, where blockchain and digital systems are reshaping trust for the internet era.

Key takeaways:

• Stories are human → humans create culture → culture drives progress.

• Puerto Rico’s global brand is rapidly evolving and will only grow in the next decade.

• Trust isn’t complicated—it’s just a handshake, scaled globally.

• Most trust systems today were built in the analog era; digital-native trust is the next frontier.

• Technologies like blockchain don’t replace humans—they increase transparency and accountability.

This is about how narratives and trust can drive a better future—locally in Puerto Rico, and globally through technology.