Attorney Rita Risser wrote the classic Prentice Hall book, Stay Out of Court! The Manager's Guide to Preventing Employee Lawsuits, the only law book ever to feature a "Far Side" cartoon. She represented employees and employers for 10 years, then founded a Silicon Valley company  to provide legal training for managers.

When she created the firm's first web site, she included a page about random acts of kindness by lawyers called "Sharks with Hearts." In five years she collected 3 stories.

"Fun, good information!"

Since 1990 she has made more than a thousand presentations to business owners, executives, managers and employees in 30 states. She has presented for Cisco Systems, Hawai'i Department of Education, Blue Cross of California, County of Hawai'i, FICO and DuPont Corporation. She is a Certified Speaking Professional of the National Speakers Association, and has presented 26 times before her peers at the group's national meetings.

"Great stories, very engaging!"

HR manager

She lives in Hawai'i, where she was adopted by a Native Hawaiian family - at the age of 43. Later she married her adopted brother! They gave her the name Makanaomanaponoalohaokalani. But you can call her Makana. Or Rita. Just call!

She is a comedian and member of the improv comedy troupe, First Class, part of Laughtrack Theater Company in Honolulu.

"Great, kept interest and made it fun."

Evaluations from HR managers at the 2008 NCHRA Annual Conference

For your next conference or meeting, call Rita Risser or Makana Chai at 808-282-2743, or email her today.