Rashmi Airan

Biography

Rashmi Airan is a captivating motivational speaker and consultant who aims to foster organizational cultures centered around integrity, authenticity, and accountability. Her story transcends the pitfalls of unknowingly making a life-altering decision; it’s a tale of leadership, core values, and decision-making, capable of creating a haven for courageous and often challenging conversations.

As a first-generation immigrant of Indian descent and the eldest of three daughters, Rashmi was raised with lofty expectations for achievement. Besides being a devoted mother of two, she excelled as a lawyer, graduating with honors from Columbia Law School. After gaining experience at several major corporations, she began an independent law practice in Miami, Florida. During the housing boom, she was drawn into collaboration with a local real estate developer who later engaged in questionable business practices. Driven by her desire for financial success and to provide the best life for her children, Rashmi developed an ethical blind spot and refrained from questioning her client’s actions despite her inner voice urging her to do so. Her involvement led to a federal prison sentence for bank fraud, along with a multi-million dollar judgment against her future earnings, mandated community service hours, and three years of supervised release.

During her six months in federal prison, Rashmi found inner peace and self-forgiveness. This life-changing experience humbled her greatly and imparted invaluable personal and professional lessons. She realized that living with remorse is one thing, but allowing it to define one’s identity is another.

Now a “recovering lawyer and investment banker,” a female leader, and a community entrepreneur, Rashmi is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and TEDx presenter. Her clients include prominent organizations such as Coca-Cola, Medtronic, Brown University, Hershey’s, the FBI, Sotheby’s, MGM Resorts, and Columbia Law School.

Drawing from her extensive legal, business, and community expertise, she shares her compelling story to deliver impactful messages to universities, law firms, corporations, global multinationals, and trade associations. Rashmi is determined to use her story as a lens to showcase the myriad factors that influence our choices and advocate for the business discipline essential for sound decision-making. In doing so, she redefines the meaning of success and underscores the importance of accountability and emotional intelligence in an ever-evolving global culture.

Rashmi serves on the Board of Directors for the Overtown Youth Center/Alonzo Mourning Foundation and is a mother of two teenagers. Rashmi Airan’s inspiring journey reminds us of the significance of decision-making, the need for accountability and a new formula for leadership in today’s dynamic world.

Videos

Request Availability

Speech TopicsExpand each topic to learn more

Dharma Leadership - Unlocking the 6 Truths to Intentional Awareness

You may know others, but do you know yourself?

In today’s whirlwind of innovation, the relentless march of AI and technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives. Now, more than ever, we must focus on personal leadership through intentional awareness.

Rashmi will take you on an exhilarating journey into the heart of intentional awareness and its profound impact onleadership, connection, and community. She does this through riveting vulnerable stories, real-world examples, and years of research!
From corporate settings to digital frontiers, the influence of AI and technology is clear. It’s about finding that connection with others and yourself through awareness to create community and culture.

Join Rashmi today as she shares her Keynote: Dharma Leadership – and ignite the power of intentional leadership in sculpting a brighter tomorrow.

So, are you ready to know yourself?

KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Learn how the six global truths of Dharma Leadership work together to provide a dynamic
leadership model
• Foster intentional awareness and personal leadership through a researched methodology
• Create long-term sustainability by implementing an effective decision-making process
• Cultivate the courage, vulnerability, and ability to have difficult and courageous conversations

Testimonials

Rashmi’s ‘Red Flags, Risks & Resilience’ presentation for our annual REALTOR® Professional Standards Workshop was excellent, both in content and speaker style. Her vulnerability and brutal honesty deeply resonated with our members and reinforced the important role ethics plays in their profession and everyday lives.

– Arizona Association of Realtors, Scott Drucker, General Counsel

I haven’t met a more authentic person who was as vulnerable and honest keynote speaker as Rashmi Airan.

– Husch Blackwell, Steve Dunn

I just wanted to take the time and say thank you for speaking at UNT yesterday afternoon. When I came home, I could not stop talking about you and your presentation. I always really appreciate people who speak about the pressures of being a first generation American. Recently, there have been more and more people coming out of the woodwork and sharing their experiences, but when I was growing up, it was always so hard to get my friends to understand what I was going through. I think it’s incredible what you are doing with your life now after prison. Although I do not know you, I also wanted to say that how proud I am of you for overcoming this setback in your life. I watched some of your Ted Talk prior to yesterday’s lecture, and it is so impressive to see how far you have come as a public speaker. You carry yourself so confidently and elegantly. You are truly an inspiration.

– University of North Texas, Anika Khandoker

Thank you so much for your inspirational talk today. It gave me a chance to reflect and think about life and family, and we should always find time to do this. You gave me that time. Your session was undoubtedly the best of the seminar.

– Borden Ladner Gervais, LLP Wayne Cross, Director IT Security and Operations

Rashmi Airan is a gifted and truly motivational speaker. She is knowledgeable, entertaining, compelling, interesting, brave, inspiring and knows how to keep the audience’s attention by creating a space for self-reflection. Rashmi is a master at using storytelling to share her relevant personal experiences that our members have told us they find extraordinarily valuable and often life-changing. We are grateful to Rashmi for presenting on our site. Her course should be a requirement for all accountants and lawyers to view.

– CPA Academy, Scott Zarret, President

I invited Ms. Airan-Pace to speak to my class in September 2016. The students in my class were fascinated by her story and cautionary tale. The class had one of the most attentive groups of students that I’ve had this year. I am confident that the discussion in class with Ms. Airan-Pace will be remembered by the students throughout their legal careers. Ms. Airan-Pace speaks from a place of remorse and truly has owned the wrong that she committed. I imagine that this is a very difficult subject for her to address because of her actions. However, she opens herself and shares her lessons for the benefit of others. I look forward to inviting her to speak again next year to my class.

– University of Miami, School of Law Kendall Coffey, Adjunct Professor

Because Ms. Airan was only a few years older than the law students she spoke to and because she graduated near the top of her class, her impact on the students was powerful and immediate. She showed the students how involvement in fairly ministerial activities (house closings) could result in criminal liability. I think her presentation gave students an entirely unique, more nuanced and certainly more vivid sense of how seemingly normal professional practice can cross the line over into fraud. She made a very valuable contribution to the students’ education that others cannot duplicate.

– Columbia University, School of Law John C. Coffee, Jr., Professor

What an amazing and incredible story. I am so grateful for Rashmi sharing her story and life lessons with our attorneys. I highly recommend every firm bring Rashmi in to help ensure young attorneys always ask the important and hard questions and put their careers and family first. Thank you Rashmi for sharing your story with us.

– Choice Legal Group, P.A. Ari Miller, Managing Partner

For Meeting Planners

Photos

Request Availability

Blog Posts

Stop Stressing! Find Your Perfect Stress Management Style

✨ Eliz Greene addresses the complexities of stress management, highlighting the importance of recognizing and...

Why Do People Get Harley-Davidson Tattoos? Building Unwavering Brand Loyalty

🏍️ In a world where brand loyalty can seem fleeting, Ken Schmidt, former Director of...

Achieving 3 Daily Wins: Leadership Lessons with Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman

🎧 Tune in my conversation with Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman to become the person that...

Train Like You Fight: How To Take Pride in Your Preparation

How to handle unexpected challenges during high-stakes situations? Mistakes can be costly, but meticulous preparation...

Honoring Memorial Day and Inspirational Veteran Speakers

🎖️ In this week's newsletter, we honor those who sacrificed and those who continue to...

MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) in Louisville, KY

🤩 The Keynote Curators was thrilled to participate in Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress...

Related Speakers

Eric Siegel, Ph.D. Predictive Analytics/AI Expert, Founder of the Machine Learning Week Conference Series, Former Professor at Columbia University

Amy Herman Expert on Visual Intelligence and the Art of Perception, Lawyer, and Art Historian

Robert Darling Lieutenant Colonel United States Marine Corps (Ret.), Crisis Leadership Expert, and President and CEO of Turning Point Crisis Management-USA

Ben Stein Comedic Financial Renaissance Man, Economist, Speech Writer and Aide for Presidents Nixon and Ford, Columnist, and Award-Winning Television Gameshow Host and Commentator

Sally Jenkins Award-Winning Sports Columnist for the Washington Post, First Woman Inducted into the National Sportcasters and Sportwriters Hall of Fame, Bestselling Author

Reviews & Ratings

     Excellent  
     Based on 56 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Waldo Waldman 
 May 19, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve been Speaking professionally for 21 years and work with the largest agencies in the world. I’m a Hall of Fame keynote speaker and a New York Times best selling Author. I have can honestly say in full confidence that Seth Dechtman and his team at Keynote Curator is the best agency I have been honored to work with.
I’ve witnessed Seth’s client focused relationship skills On multiple occasions. His clients love him and he’s detail oriented and has great communication skillls.
But most importantly, I’ve been on the receiving side of his servant, focused leadership style. He treats me like a valued partner and emulates everything a wingman is.
  
 
       
   David Allison 
 May 17, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth and the Keynote Curators team are tenacious and determined to do right by their clients and their speakers. I appreciate our relationship so much, and highly reccomend this group to anyone looking to book a speaker for an event.
  
 
       
   Meir Statman 
 May 10, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It is wonderful to join Seth in helping people reflect on their financial and life well-being and enhance them.
  
 
       
   Trevor Wilde 
 April 24, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was an amazing experience. the Keynote Speaker we had was perfect for our event and will definitely be having another for our next one!
  
 
       
   Sandro Forte 
 March 22, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliantly hosted, with great content. An absolute ‘must add’ to any podcast list!
  
 
       
   Jon VanDeventer 
 November 18, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been working with Seth at The Keynote Curators for over 3 years. I always look forward to our meetings because of both his professional expertise and his enjoyable, engaging personality. We have fun during our virtual meetings while developing innovative strategies and accomplishing goals. It's obvious from working with Seth over a number of years that he is always making event planning and booking services an easy process and providing responsiveness that sets him apart. He's an excellent partner who gets invested in your business and collaborates through every step of a process that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
  
 
       
   Jason Galaska 
 November 7, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth and his team were fantastic to work with in 2023 and we look forward to working with Keynote Curators to find potential speaker matches for our events in the future.  Thank you, Seth, for your professionalism!
  
 
       
   Hailey Wilson 
 October 23, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A Treasure Trove for Anyone Involved in Speaker Selection!

As someone deeply involved in the intersection of marketing and technology at AImpact, I find the process of selecting the right keynote speaker to be a critical part of any successful event. Seth Dechtman's "The Keynote Curators" podcast is nothing short of a godsend for anyone facing the challenges and opportunities that come with this task.

Seth brings an almost poetic understanding to the power of words, acknowledging that a speech isn't just a scheduled event but a transformative experience that can change the dynamics of an entire room. His enthusiasm for the craft is contagious, making each episode a joy to listen to.
  
 
       
   Nicole 
 September 14, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is super knowledgeable about the needs of meeting planners to have a successful event and partners with you to find just that right fit!
  
 
       
   Duncan Sigurdsson 
 August 28, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Working with Seth Dechtman and The Keynote Curators is always true partnership.  In the three plus years that we have been involved in various projects, I can tell you that they always deliver.  We have done some really cool stuff together.  Any meeting professional, conference planner or event producer will greatly benefit from partnering with The Keynote Curators.  High praise to Seth and his team.