About Dr. West
Dr. Ruben West is truly a one-of-a-kind in the speaking and training industry. What sets him apart is not just his unique abilities to motivate, transform and inspire on the stage, but rather the vast and varied experiences and successes he achieved prior to taking the stage.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Ruben has always had a focus on mastering whatever he set his mind to. 4 years out of high school, at the age of 22, he was promoted to the rank of E-6 Staff Sergeant in the US Army and was awarded for his exemplary efforts in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
Dr. West and 3 other colleagues helped to start the surgical assistant profession in his home state of Kansas. He co-founded 2 martial arts schools and was inducted into the U. S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Together with trusted associates, Dr. West started several businesses, developed patented products all while inspiring others to dream on a larger scale
As a speaker and trainer, Dr. West has the unique ability to challenge participants to take a personal inventory, think outside the box, and strive for new levels of excellence. Having worked with groups and organizations around the world, Dr. West has created international influence and received global recognition for his work and civility efforts. In 2016 he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama. In 2018 Dr. West received the Girma Wolde Giorgis (Former President of Ethiopia) Presidential Award for being a Human Conservationist (which is bringing out the best in others). In 2019 he received the Sydney Allicock (Vice President of Guyana) Global Humanitarian Award and was recognized as the United States Civility Icon of the Year by iChange Nations™ at the World Civility Day celebration in Gary, Indiana. Dr. West has been appointed both Word Civility Ambassador and Universal Peace Ambassador. In 2021 Dr. West was awarded the International Humanitarian Medal by Amb. Abdull Ghani Yahya Al-ebarh, the President of the United Nations Social Council and nominee for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize.
Dr. West and 3 other colleagues helped to start the surgical assistant profession in his home state of Kansas. He co-founded 2 martial arts schools and was inducted into the U. S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Together with trusted associates, Dr. West started several businesses, developed patented products all while inspiring others to dream on a larger scale
Dr. West’s convicting messages and lead by example attitude allows him to easily motivate individuals as well as companies to not only aim for the next level but achieve it as well.
Dr. West is the author and co-author of 10+ books and he continues to be a sought after voice for transformation and Ambassador for change. He received his PhD and Masters in Positive Neuro Psychology from The American Graduate University of Positive Psychology, his PhD from United Graduate College and Seminary in Bialogue and he received his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Washburn University.
- Army Commendation Medal,
- Army Primary Leadership and Development Course
- Army Letter of Accommodation
- Army Liberation of Kuwait Medal
- Army Over Seas Medal
- 7th Degree Black Belt – Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate
- 3rd Degree Black Belt World Matsubayashi Ryu Karate
- U. S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame Inductee 2005 (Instructor of the Year, KS)
- Honorary Doctorate CICA International University and Seminary 2014
- Doctor of Philosophy – Humane Letters
- Olof Palme Peace Foundation International 2014
- OPPFI Ambassador-at-Large
- Honorary Doctorate degree from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University 2015
- Doctor of Philosophy – Humane Letters
- Global Oved Dei Seminary and University 2016
- Chaplain’s License
- High Land Park High School Hall of Fame Inductee 2016
- Climbing The Wrong Mountain Summit Mentor Award 2016 – Mobile, AL
- The I Am Enough Visionary Award 2016 – Topeka, KS
- Shoop Shift Leadership Award 2016 – Bloomington, IL
- Man Rise Up Vision Award 2016 – Atlanta, GA
- President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama 2016
- Get Up And Move Appreciation Award 2017 – Chicago, IL
- Beyond The Roadblocks Mentor Award 2017 – Flint, MI
- Success Unlimited Outstanding Leadership Award 2017 – Mc Callen, TX
- Live Life Empower You Appreciation Award – Columbus, OH
- The Heart of A Man Appreciation Award 2018 – Flint, MI
- Girma Wolde Giorgis (Former President of Ethiopia) Presidential Award for Human Conservationist October 2018 Kansas City, MO
- Astell Collins Global Inspiration Award November 2018 Georgetown, Guyana
- ICN World Civility Ambassador Appointment – Nairobi, Kenya
- Appointed Peace Ambassador – Universal Peace Federation Georgetown, Guyana
- Honored by Kenyan Maasai Elders as OLE MAYIAN (The blessed warrior)
- Sydney Allicock (Vice President of Guyana) Global Humanitarian Award 2019
- 2019 United Stated Civility Icon of the Year by iChange Nations™
- Appointed Civility Chaplain – Humanitarian Diplomatic Alliance 2020
- International Humanitarian Medal 2021
- Honorable Sydney Allicock – Vice President of Guyana
- Rukirabasaija Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro – Uganda
- Allen Chastanet – Prime Minister, Saint Lucia
- Dr. Clyde Rivers – World Civility Leader
- Hon. Alvaro Arzu Escobar – President of Congress of the Republic of Guatemala
- Dr. David Matsanga – Ugandan Lawyer and Investigative Journalist
- Professor P.L.O. Lumuba – Kenyan Voice for Africa
- Dr. Astell Collins – Founder of BD1 Leadership Development Guyana
- Gordon Bradshaw – World Civility Day Initiative Co-Creator – USA
- Chuck Hughes – World Civility Day Initiative Co-Creator – USA
- H. E. Denise Nkurunziza – Burundi Former First Lady
- Amb. Abdull Ghani Yahya Al-ebarh – Arab Nation Peace Ambassador
- Les Brown – USA World Renown Speaker
- HRH OBA RILWAN OLUWALAMBE TAIWO – King (Nigeria)
- Hon. Kenneth Lusaka – Senate Speaker Kenya
- Pst. Susan Munene – Women and Marriage Transformer
- Amb. Abdull Ghani Yahya Al-ebarh – President, United Nations Social Council