Matt Sherwin

I am question-asker, a listener, a reader, a guy who typically prefers to help the underdog. Have an instinct to help others to connect: with the best version of themselves, with one another, with resources, ideas and directions. ...Born in Pittsburgh, nerdy kid, loved all-things school and street hockey. ...Yale '05 (Ethics, Politics and Economics + Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry + Studies in Grand Strategy) ...2 years in Philippines/Cambodia as a political ghostwriter for opposition politicians ...Fundraiser for education programs in low-income areas ...Attempted to start a tourist attraction dedicated to beer ...Many years of depression as an adult, including a severe period from '20-'22 ...Co-founded a matchmaking service that helped patent litigators source "needle-in-a-haystack" expert witnesses ...Currently doing BD for a materials science/chemistry consulting practice ...Stanford LEAD '23 (certificate program through the GSB); just named to committee organizing 10th year reunion Pleasures: Squash, eating with new people, travel, skiing, getting sunburnt (or rather, the activity that leads to the sunburn). Currently learning how to draw (www.drawabox.com) Still haven't found what I'm looking for. Likely to ask leading questions.

I can be a resource for community members looking to gain clarity around a professional matter or who are looking to establish a game plan for a pursuit. Having completed trainings through Stanford GSB on executive coaching, I can walk you through a framework that will facilitate forward motion. By nature I am a convener and a connector, so I will be happy to extend that into the Adaptive Intelligence community (this is a big part of the reason why I am applying to join - imagine that's similar for many others in the network). My professional background + social network are diverse, so other modes of assistance would depend on particular instances of the community member's need. Also happy to be a friend/companion on mental health matters, as a fellow traveler.

I can help to poke, probe and test out a new direction that I would like to aim for professionally. In the last year, a few words have emerged that feel right for the direction I want to go: - Bringing people together - International - Bright minds - Intellectual diversity These words represent new self-awareness in last two years, produced through Stanford LEAD and a Design Your Life course. But they remain a bit vague. The community could help me to convert them into specific experiments / opportunities. Also could help me build up some more courage to go and do! To experiment, to follow through. '20-'22 were years of retreat and seclusion. '22-'24 have been getting myself back on my feet and back out there in the world - a bit. The community could help '24-'26 to be years where I really go after aspirations.