Thomas D'EriSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Tom is channeling his passion for the environment into a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability as a graduate of Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, with a summa cum laude honors in Economics/Finance and a specialization in Earth, Environment, and Global Sustainability. He worked with organizations throughout his undergraduate career to assist them to become more sustainable and socially responsible.

These experiences enabled him to develop excellent research, analytical, business planning, and teamwork skills. Tom has worked for companies like Enterasys Secure Networks in North Andover, Massachusetts (Sustainability Advisor), Strategic Sustainability Consulting in Washington, D.C. (Research Intern, Assistant Consultant), Fitzgerald Elementary School in Massachusetts (Sustainability Consultant), and Sodexo/Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts (Sustainability Consultant).

He started CanDo Business Ventures with his father in 2011, a firm committed to creating, testing, and implementing businesses that can offer individuals long-term work. Rising Tide Car Wash was created by Tom, the company's Managing Partner, and his father to help further this cause.

“I'm extremely enthusiastic about sustainability, not only in terms of the environment but also in terms of the possibility for long-term social well-being for everyone, including those with autism,” Tom added.

“I believe that by creating Rising Tide Car Wash, my father and I are taking a significant step toward altering societal perceptions of individuals with autism's abilities.” Tom holds credentials in Essentials of Project Management and Strategic Sustainability Consulting Green Auditing from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania.

• Tom was nominated to the coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Entrepreneurs list for the year 2019. • In April 2015, Tom was invited to speak at the United Nations' World Autism Awareness Day event, "Employment: The Autism Advantage," at the UN Headquarters in New York, New York.

• In the summer of 2014, he attended Unreasonable Institute Global, one of the world's most prominent social impact accelerator programs. Tom has received 2015 Up & Comer Award in the Retail category from South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine, as well as the 2014 Miami Herald 20 Under 40 Emerging Leader award.

He is the youngest person ever to be listed to the Miami Herald's 20 Under 40 list, having been chosen from 300 submissions. Thomas is a StartingBloc Fellow alongside other young leaders aged 18-30 from all sectors who believe that economic value creation and social value creation are complementary.

He currently serves on the board of the RACI Project, a volunteer-run citizen organization specializing in cross-cultural solutions for sustainable livelihoods development. He volunteered extensively with the Nassau Suffolk Services for Autism while in college. Thomas now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He likes traveling, reading, music, martial arts, and scuba diving in his leisure time.