Join the LaunchPad community on Friday, October 30 with Todd B. Rubin ’04, Minister of Evolution and President of the Republic of Tea

man drinking tea

The Blackstone LaunchPad & Techstars at SU Libraries is thrilled that Todd B. Rubin ’04, Minister of Evolution and President of The Republic of Tea, will be our featured speaker to kick off the LaunchPad’s salute to Orange Central Weekend.  The Zoom chat, 3 p.m. on Friday, October 30 is open for all to enjoy at http://bit.ly/launchpad-fall-fireside-chat. Rubin will be giving an inspiring TEDx style presentation on building a company and a life that is deeply rooted in a philosophy of life that is about making meaning. The insightful presentation will help you reflect on your own guiding principles and journey in a gentle but profound way.

A graduate of the Syracuse University School of Architecture, Rubin is dedicated to preserving a legacy that fosters The Republic of Tea’s “Sip by Sip Rather than Gulp by Gulp” lifestyle.  He strives to delight Citizens, Ministers, Embassies and Ambassadors with a focus on innovation, education and providing the finest premium teas and herbs. 

Rubin joined The Republic of Tea in 2007 as the Minister of East Commerce and then transitioned to the Minister of Southeast Commerce in 2008. In 2011, he was appointed to Minister of Evolution (Vice President of Sales and Marketing) relocating to the company’s Larkspur, California office.  In that role, he successfully spearheaded new teas and new systems that led to significant growth, including: Beautifying Botanicals Teas, organic SuperAdapt Teas, organic SuperGreen Teas, HiCAF® Teas, Sonoma Teas, Biodynamic® Teas, Cuppa Cake® Teas, Downton Abbey™ Teas, organic SuperHerb® Teas, U-Matcha™ teas, The Crown® Teas and the organic Single Sips. Utilizing his degree in architecture, he oversaw the feng shui design of the company’s headquarters at The Exchange in Larkspur, California and the company’s production and shipping center in Nashville, Illinois. 

Read a recent feature story describing Rubin’s feng shui design of the new Republic of Tea headquarters in Marin Couny, just outside of San Francisco, in this North Bay Area publication.

In 2016, Rubin was elected to the Specialty Food Association Board of Directors and was distinguished as one of San Francisco Business Times’ 40 Under 40. He was appointed to the Advisory Board for the Specialty Tea Institute and became a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization SF Bay Area Chapter in 2015. The year prior, Rubin was the recipient of Syracuse’s Generation Orange Award for philanthropy and was also honored as one of North Bay Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Rubin was elected to the Board for the Ethical Tea Partnership, a nonprofit organization that convenes the tea industry, development partners, NGOs and governments to improve the lives of tea workers, farmers and the environment in which they live and work.

He is a generous support of SU Libraries and the LaunchPad, funding 18 student positions as through the Orange Ambassador program, Todd B. Rubin Innovation and Diversity Scholars, and Rubin Family Innovation Mentors (through his family foundation).  He also partners with the LaunchPad on its summer Tea Talk series and Fall Fireside Chat series.

Rubin starts his day with a cup of Lucky Irish Breakfast tea, sips Brain Boost SuperGreen tea in the afternoon and ends his evenings with Clarity and Calm herbal tea. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, traveling, photography, and reading. His favorite color is Orange.

About Orange Central Weekend:

Registration to Orange Central is now closed and this event is not part of the official activities posted on the Orange Central Weekend website. View the official Orange Central schedule for Thursday, Friday and Sunday.