Jessica Sanders

Artist, Business leader, Change agent, Consultant, Explorer, Idea generator, Job-seeker, Musician, Performer, Project manager, Student, World traveler

Former CEO of E/M Group and President of RMS Titanic, Inc., I have enjoyed building teams, creating compelling immersive and experiential environments which allow people to connect with content, playing a key role in the preservation of historical artifacts, and inspiring the next generation of explorers. To that end, I provide corporate reorganization, exhibition production, and oceanic expedition consulting services, and am always looking for my next impactful and purposeful role. We stay inspired to be able to inspire others.

Stoking the fire of passion, inspiring the next generation of explorers, to go, see, and do for those who can't or won't. This is not age specific, it is about doing something, anything, new which will open up a world of possibilities.

It's okay to dance in the hallway. The space between one door closing and the other opening in life can be one of joy and self-discovery, and music, and laughter, and dancing.

Business Law, Collections Management, Compliance, Corporate Reorganization', Creative Direction, Governance, Maritime Law, Oceanic Expeditions, Organizational Management, Project Management, Strategic Transactions, Team Building, Traveling Exhibitions

2023 was my first TEDX conference. I had long wanted to attend and even participate in the conference, and I was given the opportunity to host a discussion at one of the dinners. The conference fell in the wake of both a professional and a personal tragedy, with the loss of one on my employees and colleague in the OceanGate Titan submersible implosion, and my athletic partner simultaneously undergoing 7 surgeries which resulted in an above knee leg amputation. When I attended the conference, I had not yet acknowledged where I was in grief or anxiety. 200% of my efforts to then had been to 'hold it together' for the team, for home, do the interviews, and keep it moving. I did not understand at the time I was simply a human doing, not a human being. I remember the first day of the conference proudly picking up my badge and stepping inside and for the first time- the crowds seemed so overwhelming, I froze. I had never experienced anxiety, and yet in this moment I started looking for exits. I struggled silently to absorb the rich content around me because I was numb, disconnected, and raw. I wanted to hide, but I decided that if there were any place I needed to be, it was there - in a supportive environment, of likeminded people who firmly believe in the construction of the future by the actions of today. I felt that if I could just hear one thing that would touch my life in a positive and profound way, it would be worth it. And I did. I heard many things I heard from men and women that were agents of change for the world by passionately sharing a thought, and idea. I was reminded that if a thought can change the world, my thoughts, my actions, my gentle kindness to myself, my patience, would change my world. So when it time for me to host the Dine Around session, I had my notes... but took a risk, I just shared. [gasp-intentionally vulnerable?] Shared what had happened, and how I was navigating through it by finding joy in the simple things in life prompting discussion at the tables. When the evening concluded, I received supportive feedback and two of the young ladies shared that I had inspired them. I was accustomed to talking about business subjects, work, and historical collections, but never about myself, and not intentionally being vulnerable. Surprisingly, being transparent didn’t feel weak from the female executive, leader and mother who kept it together and produced quantitative results. It felt quietly powerful and meaningful, even though my normally confident voice trembled. It was transformative, liberating, and one of those moments in life where you feel things shift. A lot changed after that first conference. The following summer, I stepped down from my role, having achieved the business success I set out to do after 16 years. Though my results were measured new ownership had a different vision for the Company and I was no longer aligned. My partner and I amicably parted ways after 12 years. Right in the middle of major life changes was the TEDNext2024. This time it was different – I didn’t want to hide, I wanted to be poured into, to absorb everything I possibly could, to fill gaps in my life with goodness. As I am sure others do, I felt many of the messages from the speakers were specifically for me, breadcrumbs in my path forward - toward the best version of me. I remember feeling grateful, hearing I was not alone in my feelings, my anxiety, or my drive, and being surrounded by likeminded people, provided the comfort and inspiration to get my land legs back and check back into life emotionally. I was beginning to feel again, good, bad, and everything in between, raw, but ready to reengage. Each session I sat through pierced another hole in the walls I had built for self-preservation but then sat as prisoner behind. Each creative session reminded me of the beauty in life that comes from a single idea or melody or thought, and each speaker reminded me to reach for the possibilities, that I can make a difference, and my work is important and needed even if others don't see the value. I was encouraged to take simple steps towards goals with one idea in mind: Possible. So, I come to TEDNext2025, again ready to listen, ready to participate and give back, renewed, energized, and grateful. I moved back to a neighborhood I love, went back to school to pursue my MBA, have started a new business which leverages my combined experiences, fostered new relationships and have begun networking. Most importantly, I have not given up. Though at times I struggle with impatience and discouragement, disappointment and uncertainty, I hold on to that one seed of encouragement: Possible. I could not and did not see where I am today at this time last year. My narrative has changed, my dialog has change and my life, therefore has changed as a result. Let's get it!

Getting people on the dance floor (and Wordle).