Full Name
Jim McKelvey
Job Title
Keynote Speaker
Company
Block Co-founder, Former St. Louis Fed Chair
Speaker Bio
There’s a good chance you’ve encountered a Square device, especially if you’ve recently visited a food truck or small business. The small piece of plastic that allows merchants to accept credit cards on their smartphones has become ubiquitous across the U.S. and recently expanded into Australia, offering a
comprehensive suite of business-management tools. Co-founded by Jim McKelvey and Jack Dorsey (also known for co-founding Twitter), the company now employs over 2,500 people and has a market value exceeding $30 billion.
Since co-founding Square—now Block—and witnessing its valuation surge to over $100 billion, Jim McKelvey has continued his mission to drive innovation. He founded LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible programming education and enables individuals to secure full-time tech jobs in under six months. Now in its second decade, LaunchCode has helped thousands of graduates, all free of charge.
Jim is also the author of several books, including The Innovation Stack, which outlines how world changing companies are built on a foundation of innovative, competition-proof strategies. His other works include two textbooks on computer programming and The Art of Fire, the leading guide on glassblowing, a
field in which he is considered a master artist. His work in industrial design is featured in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Jim also operates Third Degree Glass Factory, one of the largest centers for glassblowing arts in the United States, located in St. Louis.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Jim has served six years on the board of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, where he was involved in recruiting its new President. He currently serves on the board of Emerson Electric, guiding them through a corporate transformation. His latest projects include helping individuals take control of their digital identities, developing the world’s first plastic-free disposable diaper, and working to streamline the FDA drug approval process.
Though widely recognized for co-founding Square, Jim is equally passionate about his work as a glass artist and his commitment to solving difficult, often overlooked challenges. He enjoys speaking because it allows him to share his insights on complex topics, and he tailors his talks to meet the unique needs of each audience.
comprehensive suite of business-management tools. Co-founded by Jim McKelvey and Jack Dorsey (also known for co-founding Twitter), the company now employs over 2,500 people and has a market value exceeding $30 billion.
Since co-founding Square—now Block—and witnessing its valuation surge to over $100 billion, Jim McKelvey has continued his mission to drive innovation. He founded LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that offers accessible programming education and enables individuals to secure full-time tech jobs in under six months. Now in its second decade, LaunchCode has helped thousands of graduates, all free of charge.
Jim is also the author of several books, including The Innovation Stack, which outlines how world changing companies are built on a foundation of innovative, competition-proof strategies. His other works include two textbooks on computer programming and The Art of Fire, the leading guide on glassblowing, a
field in which he is considered a master artist. His work in industrial design is featured in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Jim also operates Third Degree Glass Factory, one of the largest centers for glassblowing arts in the United States, located in St. Louis.
In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Jim has served six years on the board of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, where he was involved in recruiting its new President. He currently serves on the board of Emerson Electric, guiding them through a corporate transformation. His latest projects include helping individuals take control of their digital identities, developing the world’s first plastic-free disposable diaper, and working to streamline the FDA drug approval process.
Though widely recognized for co-founding Square, Jim is equally passionate about his work as a glass artist and his commitment to solving difficult, often overlooked challenges. He enjoys speaking because it allows him to share his insights on complex topics, and he tailors his talks to meet the unique needs of each audience.
