Joseph Clark Sherren, a former associate professor at the Schulich School of Business, passed away on Jan. 27, 2022, at Prince County Hospital in Prince Edward Island. He passed peacefully with his wife Kristin and sisters Dot and Pauline by his side.
Sherren was born in Crapaud, P.E.I., on April 13, 1947, to his late parents, Louis and Dorothy Sherren. He was the devoted husband of Kristin Arnold and the loving father of Tracey Sherren, Joey Sherren and Johnathon Sherren. He is also fondly remembered by his two grandchildren, Mikayla and Garret, as well as his surviving brothers and sisters, Edith von Schilling, Dot Campbell, Alfred Sherren, Pauline Sherren, Lou Sherren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Sherren was predeceased by his siblings Alfred B., Jack, Mary and Alan Sherren.
After retiring as a successful IBM executive in 1993, Sherren parlayed his knowledge of transforming million-dollar businesses into billion-dollar businesses into a globally renowned speaking and training company. He spoke in more than 30 countries and earned the highest designations in the business including the Canadian Hall of Fame Speaker, a Global Speaking Fellow, and a Certified Speaking Professional designation. Sherren served as the president of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the Global Speakers Federation. He was also a longtime member of the Canadian Professional Sales Association. As a professional speaker, he touched millions of lives with his words of inspiration, motivation and practical skills.
Sherren joined the Schulich Executive Education Centre (SEEC) in 1996, teaching sample courses in Leadership, Management 1 and Critical Thinking. Leadership was Sherren’s main area of expertise. He was also a regular business columnist in The Guardian, and author of two national best-selling books, iLead: Five Insights for Building Sustainable Organizations and Vitamin C for a Healthy Workplace.
He lived in Newmarket, Ontario for 20 years, and visited P.E.I each summer. In 2008, he and his wife called Sunset Dunes in Cape Travers, P.E.I. “home.” Sherren will be remembered for his huge heart and optimism as well as the cheerful and helpful presence he shared with everyone he met. He leaves behind a strong influence and legacy at IBM, with the speaking community, and P.E.I.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life ceremony will take place in P.E.I. in late June followed by a ceremony in Arizona in late March. Donations can be made in Sherren’s memory to St. John’s Anglican Church in Crapaud, P.E.I. Condolences to his family can be shared here or an email can be sent directly to epfuneral@eastlink.ca.