Sherrin I.
CEO, Strategic Planning Facilitator, Fractional Chief Strategy Officer, Executive Coach at International Center for Strategic Planning
Management Consulting
Education: JD
Chicago, IL, USA
Biography
As a keynote speaker on strategy development and leadership, Sherrin Ingram brings unparalleled expertise and an engaging storytelling style that captivates audiences. A seasoned corporate board member and the founder of the International Center for Strategic Planning, she has transformed countless organizations by turning ambiguity into actionable strategies. Known for her results-driven approach, Sherrin’s leadership has guided companies to achieve sustainable growth, including her own firm, which experienced a remarkable 43% growth under her stewardship. She inspires leaders to take decisive action, making her an in-demand speaker at conferences and leadership summits.
Passion
Sherrin says, “I light up when discussing how strategy transforms from concept to impactful execution. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing leaders energized and equipped to make meaningful changes in their organizations.”
Featured Book
My Podcast
I am willing to travel
More than 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
During a pivotal moment in her career, Sherrin helped a hesitant board navigate the complex decision to liquidate a bank. Using a custom decision-making framework, she turned resistance into collaboration, leaving the board not only compliant with regulatory expectations but also aligned on their next steps. It’s a story she shares to illustrate how strategy requires not just vision, but the courage to act.
Origin Story
Sherrin says, “When I was a child, classmates would seek me out for advice, whether it was about how to negotiate with parents or solve a tricky school problem. That innate ability to create meaningful conversations grew into my superpower. I now help leaders break through challenges and uncover actionable strategies. It’s proof that some talents, when nurtured, lead to extraordinary outcomes.”
Example talks
The Essence of Strategy: Getting to the Heart of Getting Things Done
What are the silent killers of successful strategy execution? Which ones are currently working against your strategy? How can you improve your strategic planning process so that more "blind spots" are uncovered and addressed BEFORE they completely sabotage execution or undermine results? Sherrin addresses these and other critical strategic planning and execution questions in this resource-rich presentation.
Key takeaways are:
• A simple step-by-step process that helps leaders at all levels support the execution of specific strategies.
• 9 proven ways to uncover hidden obstacles to consistent execution.
• Hidden pitfalls that can undermine the strategic planning process, consistent execution, and employee engagement.
Cultivating Commitment: Going Beyond Buy-in to Build Resilience and Accountability
Buy-in is no longer sufficient for sustainable success. The quest for authentic organizational commitment demands a radical reevaluation of established norms. In this dynamic session, Sherrin unveils the obstacles to commitment, from the deceptive comfort of consensus to the intricate web of organizational politics — and how to navigate beyond them for transformative results.
Key takeaways are:
• Insights into the critical difference between buy-in and commitment and why the latter is essential for accountability and resilience.
• Strategies to overcome the common obstacles to commitment, from fear of failure to organizational politics.
• Practical tools for fostering a culture where commitment drives performance.
The Essence of Competitive Advantage: The Art of Differentiation
True competitive advantage doesn’t come merely from capabilities or offerings but from a
profound understanding and anticipation of strategic needs. In this new economy, an organization's capacity to foresee, discern, and act upon emerging challenges and opportunities with unparalleled precision and effectiveness will drive performance and market share. In this thought-provoking presentation, Sherrin challenges leaders to transcend traditional boundaries to uncover their true competitive advantage.
Key takeaways are:
• Insights into the intrinsic nature of competitive advantage.
• Strategies for cultivating a mindset that prioritizes strategic diligence and decision-making with the overarching goal of maintaining a competitive edge.
• Practical tools for empowering leaders and organizations to identify and capitalize on unique opportunities for growth and differentiation.
The KPI Revolution: A New Era of Meaningful Metrics
Data is not always meaningful. Having a dashboard to showcase them doesn’t change that. It’s time for Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evolve beyond their traditional numerical confines into a holistic approach that marries quantitative data with qualitative insights. In this dynamic session, Sherrin challenges leaders to rethink how they measure, interpret, and act on performance metrics to align with the deeper purpose and strategic objectives of organizations.
Key takeaways are:
• Insights into the necessity of flexibility within KPI frameworks to be able to respond to dynamic market conditions and internal shifts.
• How to overcome vanity metrics to develop metrics that genuinely drive strategic decisions and actions.
• Strategies for aligning KPIs with organizational purpose so they resonate with core objectives and drive meaningful action.