​Meet Daniel Merza

Breaking the mould, Daniel Merza is an Award -Winning Speaker, Author, Mentor, Resilience Expert, and Event Host MC.

Born to immigrant working-class parents, Daniel grew up in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney.

When he was one, he was placed in intensive care. Because of his severe asthma condition, the head doctor informed his parents that he wouldn’t make it.

Having escaped possible death, Daniel faced many challenges growing up. Bullied for a decade, diagnosed with a mental illness at thirteen, and labelled as a student with ‘no hope,’ Daniel’s story is one of resilience. At sixteen, he turned his life around by breaking through personal, academic and social barriers to be listed in the Top 10% of Australia in academic achievement in Year 12.

At twenty-one, Daniel graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Professional Accounting) from Macquarie University, and by twenty-three became a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (CA).

While on a journey of self-discovery during his mid twenties, Daniel developed a passion for events, entertainment and public speaking. Armed with just a dream and burning desire, Daniel decided to step into unknown territory to become a professional Master of Ceremonies (MC), despite having never spoken in public.

Fearless in his pursuit, Daniel quickly built a name for himself, hosting events such as weddings, gala balls, charity events, beauty pageants, business seminars, product launches and outdoor festivals. The highlight event of his career to date was hosting New Year’s Eve on the Cahill Expressway 2017, which had a combined total of approximately 7000 people, with the best view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House for the stunning fireworks display. Daniel is now considered one of Australia’s leading MCs.

Despite his achievements in wearing the CA and MC caps, Daniel knew deep down that his life carried a much greater purpose and wanted to use his voice to help others. As a result, Daniel entered the inspirational speaking space, where he delivers messages of resilience to both youth and corporate audiences.

Based in Sydney, Daniel has developed clever and fun ways to inspire thousands of people to live a more fulfilled life. Daniel’s core message is to ‘get the monkeys off your back’ and is passionate about empowering his audiences to break through barriers and build resilience to overcome challenges, so they can live up to their full potential. Any listener with ambition and drive will be motivated, empowered and inspired after hearing Daniel.

In March 2018, Daniel was awarded the prestigious Kerrie Nairn Scholarship by Professional Speakers Australia. The scholarship is awarded to assist the development of an emerging speaker to become an outstanding professional leader.

Through his speaking, writing and mentoring initiatives, Daniel hopes to create a multi-generational movement of resilient teens, believing the youth of today and tomorrow hold the key to making and shaping a brighter future for all.