University Of Central Missouri To Welcome Mental Health Activist, Entrepreneur Ravi Sharma
As part of the Distinguished Speaker Series, the University of Central Missouri will present “An Evening with Ravi Sharma, A Talk about Mental Health Awareness and Support Strategies.” Sharma is a mental health activist, investor, and four-time entrepreneur, and his presentation is free and open to the public, beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, in Hendricks Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Dedicated to solving issues that stand in the way of individuals who are on a journey to improve their mental health, Sharma founded the mental health platform OOTify, and is currently the Chief Executive Officer. OOTify uses artificial intelligence-powered central architecture to help individuals match their mental health efforts with resources which best meet their needs.
In an article that appeared in Shoutout LA on June 21, 2021, Sharpa commented on this innovative new platform, noting, “Basically, we have software that may one day help solve the mental health crisis by leveraging technology to improve health outcomes with personalized mental healthcare. For too long, mental healthcare has been impersonal and confusing to navigate. OOTify shows promise to solve this one day.”
Prior to building this platform, Sharpa lost two family members and a close friend to suicide. After navigating the fragmented healthcare system for years he established OOTify as a way to solve the structural and systematic problems that exist in mental healthcare. Throughout his career, Sharma has incubated and invested in numerous technology startups (including multiple mental health startups) through his family office (iBOS Ventures).
Prior to OOTify, Sharma was one of the youngest portfolio managers at the award-winning investment manager, Western Asset Management Co. (Western Asset) and was personally responsible for approximately $1.3 billion AUM (assets under management). Before his affiliation with Western Asset, he served PNMAC Capital Management, Arch Bay Capital, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Sharma pursued his higher education at the University of Southern California.