Sher Downing, Ph.D.
Speaker | Business Strategist & Coach
Founder, The Entrepreneur Sandwich™ & Downing EdTech Consulting
Sher Downing is a strategic advisor and EdTech expert who helps educational institutions and EdTech companies navigate complex partnerships and digital transformation.
She turns decades of experience into actionable strategies so K-12 and higher education leaders and EdTech founders can scale with clarity and confidence.
Now, she's bringing that same strategic approach to a growing community of entrepreneurs through The Entrepreneur Sandwich™—empowering coaches, consultants, and service-based business owners who are managing both business growth and aging parent care to build sustainable success without sacrificing either role.
“The trusted advisor who helps entrepreneurs scale their boldest ideas without burnout.”
Turn Big Challenges Into Clear, Confident Action
Sher partners with three distinct audiences who all need the same thing: strategic clarity that drives real results:
EdTech companies entering or scaling within the education market
Higher education and K-12 leaders navigating digital transformation
Entrepreneurs managing dual responsibilities of business and caregiving
Through strategic planning sessions, 1:1 leadership coaching, and deep industry expertise, she helps service-based entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, guides educational leaders through complex decision-making, and demystifies the higher education and K-12 landscape for vendors and SaaS businesses ready to forge meaningful partnerships. Whether you're scaling your consultancy while caring for aging parents, leading institutional change, or positioning your EdTech solution for education buyers, Sher turns strategic complexity into clear, confident action that delivers measurable results.
“a distinguished value-giver...very few professionals of her caliber are so willing to share their insight, knowledge, and guidance.”
Marc C. Angelos, Creator of The Authority Sprint
Awards
& Recognitions
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CREA GLOBAL AWARD, 2025
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EdTech Leadership Awards, Finalist 2024
Issued by EdTech Digest
Selected as one of the Top 10 Leaders for Podcast Hosting in the EdTech Industry.
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EdTech Trendsetter Awards, Finalist 2023
Issued by EdTech Digest
Selected as one of the Top 10 Trendsetters in the EdTech Industry.
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Women in IT Awards Series 2021 Shortlist - Entrepreneur of the Year
A female leader of a technology, digital or e-commerce start-up that has demonstrated excellent growth in the last 18 months, with a coherent and sustainable strategy in achieving it. Judges will look at demonstrations of growth (turnover, profit, employees etc.), standout achievements and customer testimonials. Winners will be announced September 21, 2021 https://lastwordmedia.eventscase.com/EN/WITAWARDSUSA2021/Shortlist
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Featured as Women We Admire, 2022
https://thewomenweadmire.com/2022/08/the-top-50-women-leaders-of-arizona-for-2022/
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Noted as one of the 100 Best Education Technology Podcasts worth listening to in 2025
https://podcast.feedspot.com/educational_technology_podcasts/
Media Contributor
Washington Times
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Forbes
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U.S. News & World Report
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SSONetwork
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WomenTech Global
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ETC Journal
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Washington Times • Forbes • U.S. News & World Report • SSONetwork • WomenTech Global • ETC Journal •
Featured Podcast Guest
Strategic Momentum
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Work from the Inside Out
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Breaking the Grade
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No Labels, No Limits
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The Future is Now
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Women in Tech Network
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HeartPowered
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12minconvos
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Strategic Momentum • Work from the Inside Out • Breaking the Grade • No Labels, No Limits • The Future is Now • Women in Tech Network • HeartPowered • 12minconvos •
Keynote Speaker
Sher delivers engaging, actionable keynotes on digital transformation in education, strategic partnerships, and building sustainable businesses while managing caregiving responsibilities. Explore opportunities with Sher.