Sher Downing

Dr. Sher Downing is the strategic partner entrepreneurs call when they need to think out loud about their biggest business decisions. With three decades of experience in academic and corporate training, she has been a driving force in the evolving edtech industry, building extensive expertise in educational technology before making a strategic pivot to entrepreneurship.
 
Now working as a consultant and researcher, Sher has built her reputation on one simple principle: real growth happens through trusted relationships, not transactional consulting. The entrepreneurs she works with don't just hire her for projects - they text her random business thoughts, call her when they're stuck on important decisions, and trust her judgment enough to actually listen when she says "go for it" or "maybe wait on that one."
 
As founder of Downing EdTech Consulting, Sher specializes in helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex balance between building successful ventures and caring for elderly parents - a critical intersection often overlooked in traditional business consulting. Her unique perspective combines business acumen with real-world caregiving insights, bridging education and business to help entrepreneurs navigate complex stakeholder relationships, technology decisions, and growth challenges.
 
An award-winning leader recognized by EdTech Digest and Women in IT USA Awards, Sher has been named among The Top 50 Women Leaders in Arizona. She hosts the Forward Thinking Experts podcast, where she explores innovative approaches to modern challenges, and works with a select group of entrepreneurs who want a strategic partner for the long haul.