About Ricardo
Ricardo Valerdi is an engineer, social entrepreneur, sports scientist, and engineering professor. He has helped a variety of organizations make better decisions including SpaceX, U.S. Army, Major League Baseball, and the National Collegiate Athletics Association.
He is a nationally recognized expert in decision making whose unique blend of sports insight and engineering precision has shaped the way elite organizations—from Major League Baseball to the U.S. military—approach complex choices. With a career that bridges the worlds of professional athletics, cutting-edge technology, and high-stakes operations, Valerdi brings a rare perspective to the art and science of making great decisions.
Beyond his work with technology-centric organizations, he is a passionate advocate for STEM education for young learners. He founded a non-profit, Science of Sport, which has impacted over 700,000 students by reframing math and science through the lens of sports.
Whether advising Fortune 500 companies, mentoring students, or consulting with championship-winning sports organizations, Valerdi is known for making decision science accessible, engaging, and actionable. The Five-Tool Team draws on stories from sports, history, and personal experience to show how small, intentional choices can lead to big wins—on the field and in life.
Founder of
Science Of Sport
Bringing academics to life through sports
Science of Sport develops interdisciplinary STEM, mental health and wellness curricula and programs for diverse learning environments. Our memorable learning experiences inspire a love for knowledge and empower young minds for lifelong success.
Past Speaking Engagements
International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association, Los Angeles Chapter
U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Liberty, NC
International Council on Systems Engineering Symposium, Ottawa, Canada
Military Operations Research Society webinar
DexCom, Inc. “Chat with SMEs”
Philadelphia Eagles Tackling STEM workshop, Lincoln Financial Field
Arizona Diamondbacks Science of Baseball workshop, Chase Field
Tech Launch Arizona lunch speaker, University of Arizona
Philadelphia Phillies Science of Baseball workshop, Citizens Bank Park
New York Mets Science of Baseball workshop, Citi Field
University of Houston vs. University of Arizona football alumni event, Houston, TX
Asia Oceania Systems Engineering Conference, Singapore
International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association Professional Development & Training Workshop, Norfolk, VA
