Dr. Ricardo Valerdi is an engineer, social entrepreneur, sports scientist, and engineering professor at the University of Arizona. Through his work developing teams that think clearly and decide confidently, he has helped a variety of organizations make better decisions including SpaceX, the US Army, Major League Baseball, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association. He is also a passionate advocate for STEM education for young learners. He founded the nonprofit Science of Sport, which has impacted over seven hundred thousand students by reframing math and science through the lens of sports. Ricardo enjoys life in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife, their three kids, and two energetic dogs. They keep him grounded, laughing, and forever busy—which he considers the best kind of teamwork. To learn more about Ricardo visit his website at ricardovalerdi.com.

“I have had the pleasure and honor of knowing Ricardo for well over a decade since he brought science of sport and science of baseball to our youth and teachers. Together we have impacted and inspired thousands of students from all backgrounds with a new way to look at the world through STEM. Now he will be doing similarly for all of us who are challenged daily with difficult choices through The Five-Tool Team. There is no greater authority to combine his wisdom, experience, engineering approach, and passion for sports to shape how we come to powerful business conclusions.”