By Jeff Murphy,
March 9, 2023
Ravi Sharma, a mental health activist, investor, and entrepreneur who founded OOTify
and is its CEO, will speak about mental health awareness and support strategies on
March 20.
WARRENSBURG, MO – 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.