Art Sherwood is the David Cole Professor of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business and Economics at Western Washington University. Dr. Sherwood is the director of Western’s IDEA Institute (InterDisciplinary Entrepreneurship in Action), an Affiliated Faculty of the Vincent and Elinor Ostrom Workshop on Political Theory and Political Theory and Policy Analysis and co-founder of the Cooperative Business Research Institute.

Having completed his graduate work at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a research focus on cooperative alliances, he now seeks to better understand co-operative entrepreneurship, governance and leadership. His current research also focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems and programs that increase access for non-traditional participants.  In addition to his academic work, his is an experienced entrepreneur and a member-owner of CDS Consulting Co-op through which he advises and teaches co-operative leaders throughout the United States.  Learn more about Dr. S’ Liberating Structures Bellingham. 

David Cole graduated cum laude from Western in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and in 1986 with a master’s degree in Mathematics (also cum laude). He is a retired senior vice president who worked with Microsoft for more than 20 years. He played key roles in the development of Windows, Internet Explorer and MSN.com while at the software company, and served for three years as a trustee at Western.

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