Heroes of Ethics Speaker Series
Each year, our signature Heroes of Ethics Speaker Series features a prominent individual who shares their firsthand experience navigating ethical dilemmas in the business world. Through powerful keynote speeches and thought-provoking discussions, the series invites audiences to reflect on integrity, accountability, and the challenges of making ethical decisions in complex environments.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Monday, September 29, 2025
Ethics in Action: Navigating High-Stakes Legal and Ethical Dilemmas
Presented by: Mr. Tyler Shultz, (whistleblower in the Theranos case)
6:00-7:30 PM EST
Schiff Conference and Banquet Center
Xavier University's Cintas Center
Cincinnati, Ohio
Tyler Shultz is a scientist at heart, a founder by nature, a whistleblower by accident, a speaker by day, a venture partner by night, and a dad 24/7. His professional life began by exposing unethical practices at Theranos, a revelation that led to the collapse of the $9 billion company and the criminal convictions of its CEO and COO. Since then, he has co-founded two diagnostics companies: a deep tech spinout from Stanford’s Center for Magnetic Nanotechnology and a direct-to-consumer diagnostics and telehealth company. Beyond building companies, Tyler advises startups and venture funds, helping them navigate the technical, commercial, and ethical challenges of scaling groundbreaking ideas. As a speaker, he shares his experiences with audiences worldwide, addressing lawyers, founders, executives, employees, students, investors, board members, regulators, and compliance experts. He explores themes of truth, courage, and integrity, demonstrating how ethical decision-making can be a competitive advantage.
Theranos promised to revolutionize the healthcare industry, raised nearly $1B in funding, attained a $9B valuation, and assembled a high-powered board of directors of former secretaries of state, secretaries of defense, 4-star generals, and senators. Tyler was 22 years old, fresh out of college, and eager to join a company that was being touted as "the Apple of healthcare." He quickly realized, however, that behind the facade of a charismatic founder, powerful board, high-profile investors, and magazine cover stories, Theranos was built on lies. Tyler recounts his experiences as he navigated complex ethical, regulatory, legal, and personal dilemmas as he exposed one of the biggest corporate frauds since Enron. Tyler’s story offers a compelling perspective on the power of courage and integrity in the face of immense pressure.
This event has been pre-approved by the:
- Supreme Court of Ohio for 1.5 hours of Ohio General (NOT ETHICS) Continuing Legal Education credit for lawyers.
- Accountancy Board of Ohio for 1.5 hours of Professional Standards and Responsibilities (Ethics) Continuing Professional Education credit for Accountants.
Please contact wcbevents@xavier.edu for any questions or to be added to this annual event's invitation list.
Thank you for your interest!
Past Heroes of Ethics Speaker Series
2024 Courage at the Crossroads: Ethical Leadership for the 21st Century
Featuring: Cynthia Cooper
Cynthia Cooper is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, thought leader, and advocate. In 2002, Cynthia blew the whistle on fraud at WorldCom. WorldCom, once a Wall Street darling boasting the largest acquisition in history, the fifth most widely held stock, and ranked by the Wall Street Journal as number one for the highest return to shareholders over a ten-year period, became the largest fraud, bankruptcy, and civil settlement in corporate history.
Cynthia Cooper LinkedIn. Retrieved October 2, 2024.