Leaders

Curiosity, clarity and courage are three traits that define all-rounder Rashmi Furtado’s professional journey. Being a quiz host, writer, editor and speaker, she’s currently a Quiz Host & President at Greycaps, one of Asia’s premier companies known for live quizzes and knowledge events. Rashmi’s journey is a true testament to how love for storytelling and stage presence can turn into a successful profession.

Hailing from a small-town, Rashmi manifested her passion at a young age, backed by a childhood filled with books and interest merged with support which endorsed her to get comfortable on stage. What started out as small performances gradually turned into a lifetime of learning and sharing the knowledge. Joining Greycaps was one of the most significant moments in her career. Just a few months in, she took the reins of Teacher Tribe, a program initiated by the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, which is designed to empower educators throughout the nation.

Today, Rashmi hosts over 200 quizzes every year, often in front of audiences of up to 3,000 people. Carrying multiple roles, her skills don’t stop there. She has written content, guided new talents and played a key role in shaping Greycaps’ editorial direction.

An IIM Calcutta alumna, Rashmi is a firm believer of purposeful hard work. Her leadership style is all about empathy and paying close attention to details, which helps her connect with her team and the audience alike.

In an interview with Women Entrepreneurs Review, Rashmi talks about what it’s like to wear many hats while staying true to her core goals.

Share some defining moments of your professional journey. How did your time at IIM Calcutta shape your growth?

One of my most memorable moments was hosting a quiz for over 3,000 people. Another powerful moment was sharing the stage with A. Manimekhalai, CEO & Managing Director of Union Bank, during the Union Bank Quiz. Meeting Bachendri Pal in Jamshedpur was another turning point. These experiences continue to inspire me to dream bigger and push boundaries, both mine and those set by the world around me.

I graduated from NIT Karnataka. I’ve always been observant and self-aware, which are traits that helped me early on to understand what I didn’t want in a career. That clarity led me to pursue business management.

IIM Calcutta played a pivotal role in my growth. The experience was transformative. Being among peers with shared aspirations, learning through reallife exchanges, pushed me to think at scale. More than anything, the program shaped my leadership mindset and introduced me to the broader role of AI in education and beyond.

The institute certainly expanded my horizons. The biggest takeaway for me was the importance of broadening one’s perspective. One key lesson was never to let designations or progress in life cloud your mindset.

How did you start quizzing? What led you to become Asia’s only professional woman quiz host?

My hosting journey began in early childhood, sparked by my mother putting me on stage at just two or three years old. That early exposure built my love for performing. While others at college pursued typical internships, I followed my instinct and joined Greycaps.

Opportunities came unexpectedly, like stepping in to host Tata Crucible when our senior quizmaster lost his voice minutes before the show. COVID was another turning point. As quizzing moved online, I set up a home studio in Mulki, hosted 7 to 8 shows a day. Pre-COVID, I co-hosted all 48 on-ground Tata Crucible shows across India.

A quiz host’s life is demanding, with travel, minimal sleep, constant prep, but the joy of hosting makes it all worth it. Each experience, from my first nervous stage appearance to late-night international client quizzes, courtesy the time zones, has built confidence and resilience.

Even now, I surprise myself by doing more each year than the last. I may crash for 14 hours post-season, but while I’m in it, I’m fully immersed, like Arjuna focused on the eye of the bird. And for that journey, I’m deeply grateful.

You also co-founded Teacher Tribe. What is its vision and the impact you hope to make?

Teacher Tribe was my first independent project at Greycaps, entrusted to me just three months after I joined. It was a completely new experience, made even more special because the idea stemmed from our former president, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

TeacherTribe.world was created to celebrate and support teachers beyond just one day a year. Today, it has grown into a vibrant community of over 40,000 educators and publishes a dedicated magazine.

We noticed teachers often wanted to participate in quizzes themselves, which led to the launch of the World Teachers’ Quiz. Now in its fourth edition, it’s thriving, with participants building their own communities.

One of our biggest challenges was justifying investment in a non-revenue generating platform. But the response from teachers validated its worth.

What key challenges do you face as a quiz host, and how do you tackle them?

My role as a quiz host presents unique challenges, the biggest one is sustaining energy, every single time.

This journey is like being an athlete, you don’t ride on past victories. Every day is a fresh stage, and you have to show up at your best. What keeps me going is inner drive. It’s not just about external support; it’s the fire within that pushes me to seize every opportunity. That drive has helped me overcome challenges, and it’s what will carry me forward.

Looking back, what has been your core leadership philosophy and success mantra?

I'm a believer in hard work, which is something my parents taught me early on by example. But hard work needs direction, without it, effort can be wasted. So, for me, the two key mantras are hard work and clear direction.

Equally important is fearlessness, especially for women from small towns. We may lack exposure, but not capability. We must stop second-guessing ourselves and boldly take the road less travelled. These are my top mantras for success.

Rashmi Furtado Quiz Host & President, Greycaps

Rashmi Furtado is currently the Quiz Host & President at Greycaps, which is one of the biggest knowledge services companies in Asia. Holding many titles, she a noted educator while also being a TEDx Speaker that makes her a true seasoned leader in the industry. An IIM-Alumna, Rashmi is a fearless business leader to watch out for!