Sheryl Connelly

Sheryl Connelly is Global Consumer Trends and Future Manager for Ford Motor Company, a role she has held since 2004. Serving as Ford’s corporate futurist, Sheryl is responsible for identifying global consumer trends that feed into functions across the entire company, including design, product development and corporate strategy. More specifically, she has been tracking trends relating to ethical consumption, institutional integrity, shifting accountability and trust for almost a decade.

Prior to joining the trends team, Sheryl spent eight years of her 17-year career with Ford in a variety of field positions for Ford Division and before working for Ford, she practiced law. In addition to a Juris Doctorate, she holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in business administration. She teaches design research at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. Sheryl has addressed audiences at TED Global and guest lectured at Massachusetts Institute for Technology, Wharton School of Business and Kellogg School of Management. Her strategic viewpoints have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Financial Times and BBC, and she has been profiled in Forbes, Casual Living magazine and Automotive News. Fast Company magazine named her the 24th Most Creative Person in Business in 2013.

With the unique ability to translate how consumer and lifestyle trends will affect organizations across industry sectors, Sheryl outlines how to develop a futuring mindset, to act decisively in high-stakes business environments. From population growth to the proliferation of technology, to mindfulness and the tiny home movement, her big picture outlook ensures that organizational leaders recognize and take advantage of the trends that shape the way we live. With a perspective that will revolutionize your approach to long-term planning and strategy, Sheryl provides audiences with the insights necessary to thrive, innovate and remain relevant in our constantly evolving world.