Ravi spoke at our recent EDspaces conference and knocked it out of the park!
Ravi's journey as a rock star, aviator, cultural diplomat for the US Department of State, and now keynote speaker and founder of multiple educational and cultural enterprises is an inspiring example of how to pivot and "be the change you wish to see in the world" (Gandhi).
He is the first American-born descendant of India’s Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty. However, Ravi pursued his passion for music and in 1997 became the guitarist of triple-Grammy-nominee, Hanson, performing at the White House and Madison Square Garden, on Saturday Night Live and the Today Show, and many more.
Following the global financial crisis of 2008, he pivoted and became a pilot and aviation speaker sharing leadership lessons learned from the cockpit. In 2015, he pivoted again and accepted an invitation to serve as a cultural diplomat for the US Department of State, creating songwriting programs in Russia, Iraq, Lebanon, and Indonesia to unite people from traditionally opposed cultures and religions.
Today, Ravi is a highly respected keynote speaker on education and cultural issues. He is also the author of three books; Co-Founder and Director of Business Development of Leading Thoughts Publishing—a Mission-Driven Publishing™ book developer helping thought leaders increase their overall impact beyond their books; advocate for Shanti Bhavan—a residential school exclusively for children born into India's lowest socioeconomic class (India); and Founder of Ravi Unites Schools—an international network of over 100 schools whose students participate in peer-to-peer cultural interactions online.
With 40% of jobs about to be automated and 65% of youth destined for jobs that don't yet exist, Ravi offers a "deep dive" into how to empower Generations Z and Alpha to Pivot and succeed in an unpredictable and global future.
Today's graduates must harness and leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence, but the true differentiator will come through their humanity and creativity. By prioritizing Human Intelligence and Cultural Competence, they will build multi-cultural networks, create worldwide opportunities, and grow into passionate global citizens and principled leaders. More than ever, students need an education not driven by politics or profits, but rather, inspires curiosity, nurtures talent, provokes critical thinking, and fosters communication—Ravi's "four pillars" of a Pivot mindset.
Born into one of the world’s most influential families but rejecting the obvious choices presented to him, Ravi's unique and captivating story—from rock star to cultural diplomat to social entrepreneur—provides a detailed and inspiring road map for preparing young people today to succeed and lead in an unpredictable and global tomorrow.
World peace is possible ... if we make it profitable. Now in the age of AI where 40% of jobs will be outsourced in just a few years, the opportunity to invest in human intelligence (or "HI" as Ravi likes to call it) is greater than ever, and the need is just as critical. Creating culturally competent companies will not only lead to successful business, but also truly change the world.
Leaders and entrepreneurs must harness and leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence, but the true disruptor will come through their humanity, creativity, and ability to unite rather than polarize. By adopting a Pivot mindset—leveraging curiosity, talent, critical thinking, and communication—they will not only navigate the unpredictable, but discover and fill "structural holes" that will lead society to a profitable and peaceful future.
Born into one of the world’s most influential families but rejecting the obvious choices presented to him, Ravi's unique and captivating story—from rock star to cultural diplomat to social entrepreneur—provides a detailed and inspiring road map for preparing leaders and entrepreneurs to succeed and lead in an unpredictable and global tomorrow.