Ravi Hutheesing

Ravi’s journey as a rock star, aviator, cultural diplomat for the US Department of State, and keynote speaker is an inspiring example of how to pivot and succeed in an ever-changing world.

He is the first American-born descendant of India’s first family (which includes prime ministers Nehru and Gandhi), but his worldwide visibility skyrocketed in 1997 as the guitarist of triple-Grammy-nominee, Hanson, performing at the White House, Madison Square Garden, Saturday Night Live, Today Show, and more.

Ravi later became a pilot and aviation speaker helping the industry attract new student pilots, and in 2015, the US Department of State began sponsoring his cultural programs in Russia, Indonesia, Iraq, and Lebanon.

A highly respected keynote speaker in education leadership, Ravi is also the founder of Ravi Unites Schools—a large network of international K-12 schools whose classes participate in peer-to-peer real-time audio-video interactions—and author of PIVOT: Empowering Students Today to Succeed in an Unpredictable Tomorrow.

Pivoting to Cultural Competence & Global Leadership

The impact of  Covid-19  on employee productivity and retention is evolving, and employers must empower employees to pivot efficiently and navigate an unpredictable global environment.

Moreover, Artificial Intelligence is creating the most significant disruption to the workforce we have ever seen, and the human factor in cultivating global networks and relationships is now more important than ever.  As we evolve into an increasingly global society, culturally competent leadership is the only way to pivot, stay relevant, and capitalize on this evolution.

How to Pivot Your Passion into Your Profession

Pursue your passion and rally the needed support to be successful.

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.

FOR EDUCATION AUDIENCES:

Empowering Students Today to Succeed in an Unpredictable Tomorrow

As we move into a global sharing economy, we must pivot toward cultural competence and equity in education. This will empower students to become global citizens through culturally responsive teaching, giving them the required skills for the future of work and society-at-large.

With 40% of today’s jobs about to be automated (source: PwC), we will no longer be defined by what we do, but rather, by who we are. We cannot fail to equip all students with the most critical skills of tomorrow—skills that go beyond the current “college and career-ready” focus. Education leaders must re-evaluate the overall goal of education now while committing to teaching the most important life-skills for a global future, including cultural competence and how to continuously pivot. Today’s educators have an unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to achieve equity in education and defeat generations of implicit biases so that all students can develop a healthy curiosity about the world and truly become global citizens.