Li-Mor Raviv

I am a minority female immigrant who embraces challenges as opportunities. To me, life’s difficulties are not obstacles but fascinating mysteries waiting to be unraveled. My philosophy is to approach every experience with presence, curiosity, and joy for the journey.

I inherited my optimistic outlook from my mother and grandmother, both survivors of the Nazis. My grandfather, who perished in Auschwitz, inspires me daily to appreciate life and trust in the unfolding of events, no matter how unpredictable.

When I arrived in New York City with nothing but a dream, I survived on bread and jam while juggling school, waitressing, and a night-shift job as a graphic artist. My dream was to work as an animator for Disney, and life had a surprising twist in store. After graduating, I was hired by a top advertising agency and found myself directing Disney animators in my very first campaign.

While working as an art director, I set my sights on another dream: becoming an astronaut. To qualify for NASA's program, I earned a pilot's license and logged over 150 flight hours in single and double-engine planes. Though I was ultimately ineligible as an immigrant, the journey taught me the power of perseverance and the joy of pursuing seemingly impossible goals.

Life brought unexpected challenges. After my father’s sudden passing and my mother’s severe car accident in Paris, I left my career in NYC to care for her. Her resilience and encouragement inspired me to return to the U.S. to complete graduate school.

Upon graduation, I realized advertising was not my calling. I had to create campaigns promoting products I didn’t believe in, including unhealthy food options targeting low-income families. As someone who has been a vegetarian most of my life and proudly lives a vegan lifestyle, I couldn’t reconcile my values with these projects. 

Whole-Food Plant-Based Living is a core part of my identity, reflecting my commitment to animals, the environment, and personal health. This realization inspired me to pursue work that aligns with my ethics and contributes to meaningful change. This shift led me to entrepreneurship, where I launched "Wishes. Limited." to help people achieve dreams they couldn’t realize on their own. I also supported nonprofits by raising funds for causes that mattered.

In my late 30s, life surprised me again with the birth of my daughter. Raising her became my focus, and we shared an incredible chapter living aboard a sailboat, exploring nature, cultures, and life together. As she grew, I sought stability and a nurturing community, eventually transitioning into roles that allowed me to provide for her while remaining present.

My daughter’s journey as a dyslexic student inspired me to be resourceful and steadfast. We moved to provide her with the best opportunities, balancing academics, sports, and music. Along the way, I adapted and thrived as a coach, salesperson, and assistant.

Through my life’s twists and turns, I’ve gathered a wealth of experiences and expertise, including:

• Adventures and embracing change
• Empowerment and motivation
• Strategic advantages in parenting
• Time and self-management
• Women’s health and wellness

I was born deaf in one ear, a challenge that shaped my ability to adapt and persevere without letting it define me. Most people don’t even realize this part of my story unless I share it, as I’ve learned to navigate life’s conversations—both literal and metaphorical—with creativity and determination. This experience taught me early on that challenges are opportunities to grow stronger and more resourceful.

I share these insights to inspire others to dream, grow, and find joy in the journey. Life is short, but every moment is rich with meaning. I cherish every interaction and believe in the power of resilience, creativity, and determination to transform challenges into opportunities.