Ricky Joshi from Columbus Academy’s class of 1997 will serve as guest speaker for the school’s 111th Commencement on June 3, 2024, and JoAnne Adams will deliver this year’s Cum Laude Address at Upper School Honors Assembly on May 21.
Ricky is a distinguished entrepreneur and co-founder of Saatva, the pioneering online luxury mattress retailer that has fundamentally transformed the mattress industry since its inception in 2011. Ricky’s strategic acumen and leadership have catapulted Saatva to the forefront of the direct-to-consumer luxury mattress segment, boasting annual revenues exceeding $500 million and positioning it among the top 25 highest-grossing direct-to-consumer e-commerce companies across any sector.
“I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to address the Academy class of 2024,” stated Ricky. “Academy has always held a deep and profound connection to my own life’s journey. The lessons I learned at Academy, both inside and outside the classroom, have served as a launching pad for everything that has come after. I hope my story inspires future graduates to follow their hearts and chase their dreams with passion, integrity and curiosity.”
Under Ricky’s guidance, Saatva has not only achieved remarkable success but has also been a beacon of sustainability and social responsibility by employing recycled, natural and organic materials while mitigating carbon emissions. This commitment is also reflected in Saatva’s sustainable factories and growing retail footprint, currently with 24 stores nationwide and growing quickly.
Beyond Saatva’s success, Ricky’s influence extends across the e-commerce and retail industries through his board roles at entities like Branch Office, Guardian Bikes and Springdale Ventures. His insights and expertise have made him a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor in the e-commerce domain. Ricky’s entrepreneurial ventures also expand beyond e-commerce in fields ranging from consumer branding to real estate development to film, showcasing his pursuit of innovation.
Ricky’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards such as being an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist and Saatva’s inclusion in the Inc. 500 list four times, among other accolades. In addition to his professional achievements, Ricky is committed to contributing to community growth through various nonprofit board roles. He holds a B.A. cum laude with honors from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School. Ricky and his wife Morgan reside in Austin, Texas.
JoAnne has been a lower school PE teacher since 1994 and is currently the Physical Education Department Chair. In addition to establishing the Third Grade Little Dribblers two decades ago and serving as the first Wexner Chair in Elementary Education, she also coaches middle school field hockey and girls lacrosse.
Prior to Academy, JoAnne taught PreK at the Northwest Christian Childcare Center and earned her B.S. in health and human services from Ohio University. She and her husband Tim have a daughter Charlotte, who graduated from Academy in 2021, and they reside in Gahanna.
“The class of 2024 has earned the right to be celebrated,” said JoAnne. “I am honored, albeit slightly surprised, to receive the invitation to address the senior class. I hope to share some memories from their early days at Columbus Academy in addition to making everyone smile as you realize how much they have grown.”