Pivoting to Cultural Competence and Equity in Education

  • Tailored for education leadership conferences/convocations (school boards, superintendents, principals, school districts, etc.).
  • The title and content can be customized to best support the event's theme. For example, some clients choose "Empowering Students Today to Succeed in an Unpredictable Tomorrow."

With 40% of today's jobs about to be automated (source: PwC), today's students will no longer be defined by what they do, but rather, by who they are. By focusing more on cultural competence, equity, and unity, students will grow into compassionate global citizens, discover worldwide opportunities, and master the required skills for the future of work and society.

Born into one of the world’s most influential families but rejecting the obvious choices presented to him, Ravi takes the audience on his exciting journey as a rock star, entrepreneur, aviator, and cultural diplomat, and shows how his own education empowered him to build relationships and pivot whenever necessary. Using humor, points that resonate and make you think, and statistics that make you question what you thought, he explains how to transform students into culturally and globally competent lifelong learners by pursuing equity, teaching and engaging in civil discourse, and inspiring students to overcome generations of implicit biases so that they can develop a healthy curiosity about the world and become truly empathetic global citizens.

Based on the forward-thinking concepts explored in his acclaimed book, PIVOT: Empowering Students Today to Succeed in an Unpredictable Tomorrow, Ravi will shift your thinking on how public education can put society on a path to equity, equality, and ultimately world peace.

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The best keynote we have ever had.


AASA | The School Superintendents Association - see full review here

To refer to Ravi as just a speaker would be a great disservice.  He is a true talent.


NYSCOSS | New York State Council of School Superintendents - see full review here

The feedback from our members has been overwhelmingly positive.


WASB | Wisconsin Association of School Boards - see full review here

Ravi's work to break down cultural barriers is nothing less than deeply inspiring.


WASBO | Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials - see full review here

Ravi's journey is a testament to the positive impact each one of us can make building connections and relationships.


ASCD | Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development - see full review here

In my 30 years with TACE, Ravi is by far the best speaker that we've presented.


TACE | Texas Administrators of Continuing Education - see full review here

They were hanging on your every word. So great, and so important.


US Embassy in Lebanon | Department of State - see full review here

Ravi's passion for education & multicultural views challenged & broadened our take on what education can be.


KASA | Kentucky Association of School Administrators - see full review here

A charismatic, dynamic speaker who captivates audiences from his opening line to his last.


OCA | Ohio Counseling Association - see full review here

A powerful message that connects with people regardless of age, demographic, or region.


KASB | Kansas Association of School Boards - see full review here

His ability...is unmatched by any presenter we have used.


BH | Bloomfield Hills Schools MI - see full review here

One of the most powerful presentations I have heard in my 30-plus years of doing this work.


OSBA | Oregon School Boards Association - see full review here

Ravi was a hidden gem...the best keynote in a long time!


ABHES | Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools - see full review here

Outstanding! Ravi's message is powerful, and his purpose is inspirational.


ACHE | Association of Continuing Higher Education - see full review here

Ravi was magic...true learning took place.


NMSBA | New Mexico School Boards Association - see full review here

In tough political environment like Russia, his disarming and genuine style left a very positive impression on our audience.


US Embassy in Russia | Department of State - see full review here

Ravi's energy, passion, and optimism for education transcend the generation gap. He captivates!


MASB | Michigan Association of School Boards - see full review here

Ravi delivered the highest-rated keynote speech we’ve had in years for our annual conference of school administrators and school board members.


ISBA | Indiana School Boards Association - see full review here

An experience of a lifetime. Lives are forever-changed through Ravi's storytelling.


LACC | Los Angeles Community College District - see full review here

Ravi’s keynote was the highlight of the conference. The entire audience was invigorated by his message.


NASB | Nevada Association of School Boards - see full review here

Our members said that Ravi was one of the very best keynote speakers they’ve ever heard.


CASE | Colorado Association of School Executives - see full review here


Ravi's 6-min Education Keynote Preview
(click to watch)
  • Get a free student presentation with any education leadership keynote.
  • Add-on professional development workshop for educators
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  • Attention Educational Organizations:
    The impact of the past couple of years on students and teachers worldwide is becoming clear, though how that will ripple through society-at-large and our future is yet to be seen. The onus is on us—education leaders—to do all we can to ensure that students today are prepared to succeed in an unpredictable tomorrow. That is why I am willing to do all I can to help you succeed in this most important task.
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Creating Unity Within Diversity

  • Tailored for business and corporate leadership events.

As even the most local of workforces become more diverse, the ability to cultivate a team among employees is more challenging but absolutely essential.  To create a culturally competent and competitive company, one must first establish a culture of embracing our commonalities along with a healthy curiosity about our differences. 

In this presentation, Ravi extrapolates from his background as a member of one of the most influential families that created the world's largest democracy (encompassing 7 major religions and 22 official languages), his peacekeeping work as a cultural diplomat for the US Department of State (including in Iraq and Russia), and his experiences as both the sole non-white member of an otherwise all-white world-famous band and a non-white pilot in the 80% white aviation industry to prove that one can effectively collaborate with people from vastly different backgrounds, including traditionally opposed cultures and religions. Using humor, points that resonate and make you think, and statistics that make you question what you thought, he will elevate your thinking and arm you with the tools to create unity within diversity.

You Can Do It!

  • Tailored for students (middle & high school, university)

In this presentation, Ravi encourages attendees to pursue their passions regardless of preconceptions or obstacles. However, following one's dream is not about rebelling against one’s parents, school, or traditional values. It is about collaborating with these influences while broadening horizons and learning to “be the change you wish to see in the world” (Gandhi). A child’s talents, strengths, and interests often differ from their culturally traditional path. As they become teenagers, those same interests can become aspirations that are then in conflict with the expectations of any given family, society, or culture. Ironically, it is this very difference that can give a young adult "the edge,” enabling him or her to achieve greater success.  Moreover, in the age of automation and globalization, the perceived security of a traditional career is no longer the reality.

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Ravi simply offers more than other keynote speakers

  • Keynote titles and content can be customized to best support the event's theme.
  • Presentations are delivered live or virtually (virtual keynotes can be delivered live, or pre-recorded with multiple camera angles and fully produced so you just have to "plug and play").
  • Ravi is fully insured (professional & general liability), and fully vaccinated and boosted
Before Event
  • Writes an article for the client's newsletter or magazine
  • Participates in client's social media campaigns and custom video teasers
  • Interviews several attendees in advance to prepare
At Event
  • Attends social events (schedule permitting, live events)
  • Closes keynote with a song—optional, but a highlight with audiences
  • Hosts an online "post-keynote virtual mixer" (if we cannot hang out at the hotel bar!)
After Event
  • Stays connected with and available to attendees via email

Regarding Virtual Keynotes
(click to watch)

Why wait? Contact us now and put a date on hold without any obligation.

Ravi's schedule fills quickly. For booking, pricing, or other questions, get a quick response by using this form or call +1-202-838-7088.