When Dr. Ruby Bakshi Khurdi received the news that she would be featured as Business Woman of the Year 2025, her first thought was not of the recognition itself, but of the journey that made it possible. “It feels deeply humbling,” she shares. “Every award reminds me of my purpose to use education as a bridge between cultures and a catalyst for confidence.”
For Dr. Ruby, education has never been a mere profession; it is a calling. As Founder CEO of RBK Academy Swiss, she has redefined what meaningful learning can look like – a dynamic blend of academic excellence, emotional intelligence, and joy. Based in Switzerland and recognized worldwide as an innovative educator, TEDx speaker, author, verified Kahoot Ambassador, LinkedIn Community Top Voice, she has spent years creating empowering experiences for students, professionals, and leaders across continents.
A Journey of Purpose and Reinvention
Looking back, Dr. Ruby’s journey from educator and trainer to global CEO was shaped by one pivotal realization – that learning must engage both the mind and the heart. While teaching in multicultural classrooms across Europe and Asia, she observed that traditional learning often left little space for emotion, empathy, and creativity. “I wanted to change that,” she reflects. “I wanted learners to feel joy, confidence, and connection – not pressure or fear.”
That philosophy became the cornerstone of RBK Academy Swiss, a hub for transformational education that blends gamification, kinesthetic learning, and emotional intelligence. Today, her academy stands as a symbol of inclusive, forward-thinking education – one where corporate leaders, educators, and young professionals learn how to communicate effectively, manage emotions, and lead with authenticity.
Her transition from academic to entrepreneur was not without challenges. Building an academy from the ground up required resilience, cultural understanding, and unwavering belief in her mission. “Every challenge was a lesson,” she says with characteristic optimism. “I learned that true leadership is not about perfection; it’s about perseverance and compassion.”
Leading with Empathy and Innovation
At RBK Academy Swiss, Dr. Ruby has pioneered learning frameworks that combine emotional intelligence with gamification – a unique approach that has revolutionized engagement for learners of all ages. Using tools like Kahoot, Lego Serious Play, storytelling, and TED-Ed exercises, she has designed programs that make learning interactive, fun, and deeply human.
Her creative approach earned her the Kahoot Community Award 2025, recognizing her as one of the world’s most innovative educators whose quizzes are played globally. It also earned her the affectionate title of “Kahoot Professor” among her students.
“Gamification isn’t just about fun,” she explains. “It’s about creating emotional anchors in learning. When people enjoy the process, they retain knowledge longer and feel more empowered to apply it.”
Dr. Ruby’s emphasis on empathy and inclusion has made a tangible difference to professionals and students worldwide. Through her training sessions and workshops – from the United Nations Geneva and Nestlé Vevey to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism collaboration ; she has helped individuals rediscover confidence, refine communication, and embrace intercultural understanding.
Her leadership style is deeply human-centered. “For me, leadership means creating spaces where people feel valued,” she says. “It’s not just about results – it’s about relationships.”
Global Recognition and Influence
Dr. Ruby’s impact resonates far beyond the walls of her academy. Her voice has reached international platforms including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Ministry of Tolerance in the UAE, and the United Nations Geneva. She has shared the stage with ministers, ambassadors, and global changemakers – each engagement amplifying her belief that education is the foundation of peace and progress.
Her remarkable journey has been recognized with a constellation of global honors. Among them:
- Best Motivational Speaker of the Year Award, London Oracle Awards (2025)
- Keynote Speaker at the World Peace Convention and Swiss Science Symposium, Winterthur Zurich (2025)
- She Inspires Award, House of Parliament, London (2023)
- Bharat Gaurav Samman (2021) for outstanding contribution to global education and leadership
- Outstanding Professor Award from the American Institute of Applied Sciences in Switzerland
- Recognition by the Commune of Rennaz, Switzerland, for her humanitarian efforts during the pandemic
One of the most meaningful moments, she recalls, was being invited by Her Excellency, the Queen of Bahrain, and later recognized at London’s House of Commons. “Those experiences affirmed that education truly transcends borders,” she reflects. “When leaders from different nations appreciate your work, you realize that what you are doing has universal value.”
A Mission Beyond Business
While many leaders measure success by financial growth, Dr. Ruby defines it by the number of lives touched and the confidence she helps build. Under her leadership, RBK Academy Swiss has expanded its mission beyond classrooms to include social impact initiatives – from mentoring women entrepreneurs and young professionals, to conducting free online masterclasses and webinars during the pandemic.
Her global initiatives like “Help India Breathe Again”– a crowd-funding campaign to send oxygen concentrators and ventilators to India ; showcased her compassionate leadership in times of crisis. For her contributions, she was honored by the Mayor of Rennaz and featured by Swiss Radio & Television RTS.
Dr. Ruby also engages in community service, from teaching school children in Villeneuve songs of peace in collaboration with the Indian Embassy, Bern, to mentoring young women through international educational networks. Her guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: “Knowledge is power, but empathy is strength.”
Championing Women Leadership
As one of Switzerland’s most recognized women CEOs in education, Dr. Ruby continues to champion women empowerment on global platforms. She believes that women leaders bring resilience, collaboration, and emotional intelligence – qualities the world urgently needs in 2025 and beyond.
“Women have an innate ability to lead with both strength and sensitivity,” she says. “We see challenges not as barriers but as opportunities for transformation.”
Yet her own journey as a woman leader was not without obstacles. Balancing multiple roles- daughter, wife, mother, educator, author, community leader, youtuber, entrepreneur, and motivational public speaker – required immense discipline and faith. “There were moments when it felt overwhelming,” she admits. “But I’ve learned that when you believe in your purpose, the world aligns to support you.”
For aspiring women entrepreneurs and educators, her advice is empowering: “Start where you are. Don’t wait for perfect conditions – create them. Use your voice, stay curious, and never underestimate the power of kindness in leadership.”
The Future of RBK Academy Swiss
Dr. Ruby envisions RBK Academy Swiss as a global hub for lifelong learning and leadership, where technology, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness merge to shape the leaders of tomorrow. Her long-term vision includes expanding online learning programs through her platform www.RubyBakshiKhurdi.com, allowing learners worldwide to earn knowledge and certification from the comfort of their homes.
She also plans to deepen partnerships with universities, organizations, and women leadership networks to create cross-cultural training programs that build both competence and compassion. “My goal is to cultivate emotionally intelligent global citizens – leaders who can inspire trust, collaboration, and positive change.”
