Ravi Kurani

Solving Water at MySutro.com | Forbes 30 Under 30 | TEDx

Water is an underinvested market, yet it’s one of the most crucial resources we have. But I believe that through better storytelling and innovation, we can shine a light on the water industry’s challenges and opportunities. 

In 2014, I founded Sutro, a robotic water diagnostics platform designed to improve water chemistry and safety. I sold Sutro to Sani Marc in 2019 and am currently leading day-to-day operations.

Today, as President of Sutro (a subsidiary of Sani Marc), I oversee the development, marketing, and sales of smart water monitoring devices. Our technology is trusted by some of the biggest brands in the industry, and we are the only NSF-certified autonomous device for water safety. 

I’m proud to lead our team in revolutionizing how people interact with water, ensuring it's clean, safe, and accessible. 

🌊 Host of “Liquid Assets: The Business of Water,” a podcast about water through the lens of business, technology, and policy. 
➡️ https://www.liquidassets.cc/

🌊 Co-author of “Story-Driven Smart Products,” a practical guide to launching smart hardware products. 
➡️ https://a.co/d/1Bbd11r

🌊 Delivered a TEDx Talk on leveraging technology to improve water safety.
➡️ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwuJnr-iWcY

Other Ventures:
⚙️ Leading the “Street to Home” project to address working capital gaps for the Future Communities Institute.

⚙️ Founded ImpactSpace, later sold to ImpactAlpha (the TechCrunch for impact investing).

⚙️ Advisor to various startups, including a software development agency (Incodeks) and a health navigation company (Juniper).

⚙️ Engineer in Residence at Future Communities VC, focused on tools to track climate solutions through the IRA (Inflation Redux Act).

Founding Member

Hampton is a dedicated group of digital-first founders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs of fast-growing startups who just get it – and make the crazy world of startup life a little easier to navigate.

Vivander Advisors LLC

Inspired by the promise of generative AI, Michael founded Vivander Advisors to drive AI adoption and integration. Michael developed frameworks to educate teams on leveraging AI for strategic and operational success, including an AI Literacy program that equips associates with practical skills to drive innovation and growth.

* AI Mindset Cultivation: 

Created the AI Literacy program to help teams understand and apply AI for business impact, fostering innovation and efficiency.

* Process Implementation: 

Designed the '5-Step AI Transformation Process,' simplifying AI adoption and positioning Vivander Advisors as a leader in AI strategy.

* Thought Leadership: 

Authored "Too Many Hats, Too Little Time," recognized as a top resource on using AI personas in business.

* Industry Impact: 

Regularly speak at national events on AI strategy, elevating Vivander Advisors' influence in the AI advisory space.

Founder & Chief Advisor

The Hotels Network

Recruited to join the executive team at The Hotels Network as the principal advocate for the customer voice, representing hotels in sales, marketing, customer success, partnerships, and product development. Tasked with the pivotal role of brand evangelist in the United States, I am responsible for articulating and amplifying the company's vision and offerings at national, regional, and local levels. 

Michael is responsible for optimizing the hotelier's experience as they grow their direct channel by using The Hotels Network's innovative solutions to attract, engage and convert visitors throughout the online booking journey.

Chief Experience Officer

HSMAI New York City

Excited to step into the role of President of HSMAI New York City, beginning January 2025, where Michael will lead the chapter in advancing its mission of empowering hospitality professionals through collaboration, education, and innovation.

This new role is a natural progression from his previous position as Vice President of Membership, where he focused on achieving ambitious growth targets. Over the past three years, he aimed to grow membership by 20% year-over-year through creative marketing blitzes, member engagement campaigns, and innovative strategies to showcase the value of HSMAI membership.

As President, Michael's focus will be on the three C’s:

* Creating Great Content that delivers actionable insights and drives professional development.

* Building a Robust Community where hospitality leaders can connect, collaborate, and thrive.

* Enabling Commerce by fostering partnerships and opportunities that translate into tangible success for our members.

Michael is thrilled to lead HSMAI New York City into this next chapter and look forward to continuing to make a meaningful impact for our members and the hospitality industry.

President

FROM, The Digital Transformation Agency

Driving AI Integration:
Spearheading efforts to embed AI into the client organization's DNA, transforming proofs of concept into scalable, impactful solutions across teams.  

AI Advocacy & Education:
Building a culture of AI literacy and experimentation, ensuring teams see AI as an enabler, not a replacement.  

Strategic Alignment:
Aligning diverse AI projects with overarching IT goals, from automation pilots to upskilling programs, to accelerate enterprise-wide adoption.  

Engaging Storytelling:
Bridging the gap between innovation and impact by showcasing tangible AI successes through storytelling, workshops, and community engagement.  

Fostering Collaboration:
Coordinating cross-functional efforts, integrating timelines, and enhancing participation to drive momentum in AI transformation.

AI Enablement Strategist

Growth Advisors International Network - GAIN

GAIN - Where Travel, Hospitality, and MICE brands and vendors come to grow - startups, scaleups, and enterprises.

GAIN is the leading global travel, hospitality, and MICE innovation and growth advisory firm. The GAIN Advisors are a global network of leading travel, food service, and hospitality technology industry C-Suite/VP level commercial, innovation, IT, finance, operations, funding, and marketing leaders.
Find out more at GainAdvisors.com.

• Responsible for the Hotel AI Professional Service Pack: providing guidance to Hotel Groups on the transformative capabilities and potential benefits of AI. 
• Masterclass and Keynote presenter at Hospitality and Technology Conferences specialized in AI and Web3.

Strategic AI Advisor - Co-Director Global AI Practice

Kellogg Executive Education

Program Leader -  Data Strategy for Generative AI Platforms (Formerly: Data Strategy & Analytics) 

Club Quarters Hotels

Recruited into a leadership role to drive customer acquisition, retention, and revenue generation in alignment with corporate objectives of building brand equity in high-value business and leisure travel segments. Accountable for developing a full-funnel marketing program with tailored messages across the entire customer journey; challenged to improve targeting, data analytics, and campaign performance in concert with Revenue Management, Sales. Operations and Technology teams.
► Launched the first successful CRM driven drip marketing campaign in 30-years that yielded 600% revenue growth YoY
► Accelerated pace for Go-To-Market execution by championing standard marketing processes that streamlined campaign design, reporting, and data analysis.
► Beat expectations, producing a 15% uptick in bookings with a 3% reduction in spending optimizing media channel mix to target new Club Quarters customers.
► Working with partners and developers, transformed the reward program app into a touchless arrival experience.

Global Head of Marketing

Denihan Hospitality Group

Hired by SVP of Sales, Revenue, and Marketing based on success building Dolce Hotel's digital effort from ground zero to a leading player through awarding-winning social media and creative marketing campaigns. Primarily focused on ADA and GDPR compliance issues; led split testing and channel performance. Full P&L responsibility for brands, properties, and marketing department. Directed team of 12 (4 direct reports) and $3M budget.
► Harnessed power of technology to surpass $177M goal; maximized 9 partnerships to drive acquisition through personalization, multi-channel marketing automation, and loyalty programs.
► Drove double-digit conversion rate increases and played a pivotal role in rescuing the company from lawsuits by launching 10 mobile-first, 100% ADA compliant brand, property, and corporate websites in under 9 months.

Vice President - Marketing & Ecommerce

Wyndham Hotel Group

Retained post-acquisition to build a cohesive, world-class marketing team for this industry leader with 8000 hotels producing $1.5B in revenue Provided data-driven recommendations for top and bottom-line gains and ROAS optimization through A/B testing of new digital marketing initiatives across media and email channels.
► Transformed team with a single-minded focus on tracking retail website placements into a group of 10 with deep expertise in creative advertising, digital marketing, consumer experience, brand advocacy, and new digital platforms
► Introduced a data culture to promote metrics‐driven decision-making.

Senior Director - Digital Brand Marketing & Strategy, Digital PMO

Dolce Hotels & Resorts

Recruited to propel B2B & B2C growth and attain financial performance targets post-sale of a family-owned global company to a privately held REIT by leading a team of 29 with 4 direct reports in generating 50% of the company's total annual revenue through a time of change and challenge. Entrusted to articulate a clear vision and digital strategy that delivered a consistent message for 22 Hotels in the US, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium. Managed $30M marketing budget.
► Fueled 20% growth in B2C online revenue YOY by evangelizing new brand positioning, global web/mobile eCommerce program, and prioritizing initiatives. 
► Lifted e-blast conversion rates 25% and increased ROI by introducing and integrating a new CRM solution to deliver trigger-based emails. 
► Rocketed qualified leads, enabling a 15% revenue increase by arming the sales team with a unique magazine-style CMS for iPads that showcased properties with built-in calls to action aimed at critical segments.
► Accelerated user content deployment by 60%, slashed monthly expenses by 35% through new enterprise content management and e-blast solutions.

Vice President - Marketing and Ecommerce

As a seasoned strategist in marketing and AI, I blend art, science, and technology to forge a consistent customer journey across all touchpoints, driving substantial revenue gains, including a 40% increase through leveraging my strategies and automations. My hands-on approach directly solves problems and generates value by shaping a customer-centric marketing vision. This vision, coupled with securing organizational buy-in, allows for the launch of AI transformation projects and multi-channel digital campaigns aimed at meeting and exceeding P&L objectives.

I've developed new ways for companies to leverage AI quickly for a productivity boost, including a rapid approach to identify pilot projects based on business value, risk, and feasibility. My career is marked by a dynamic ability to transition smoothly from conceptual brainstorming to precise concept ideation, spearheading the flawless execution of full-funnel marketing campaigns. My strategic prowess extends from ideation to execution, where I've successfully launched new products and services, led teams to surpass ambitious goals, and reimagined business models and strategic approaches, securing a multi-million dollar upside and competitive dominance.

The foundation of my success lies in a servant-leadership philosophy, a testament to my belief that outstanding marketing strategies are born from empowered, people-first teams ready to make bold, intelligent decisions.

Recent Endeavors:

AI Consulting & AI Transformation: At the forefront of AI transformation, I guide enterprises to harness the power of generative AI, reshaping their operational landscapes and fostering innovation.
Public Speaking: As a seasoned public speaker, I share insights and trends in the dynamic domain of AI, helping businesses understand and leverage AI's transformative capabilities.
Authorship - "Too Many Hats, Too Little Time": My latest book delves into the intricacies of generative AI and the creation of a virtual board of advisors, offering a unique perspective on navigating the complexities of modern business landscapes.
Recognized as one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in 2020 by senior industry executives, acknowledging my significant contributions to the industry's recovery and advancement.

Specialties:
Customer Relationship Management | Breakthrough Sales Attainment | Market Share Penetration | Revenue Generation | Digital Lead Management | Retail Sales Generation | Customer Experience | Performance Maximization | Brand Positioning | Market & Competitive Analysis

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Ravi Kurani

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