Sheri Jacobs

AI is changing everything—markets, roles, and expectations—but it hasn’t changed one fundamental truth: innovation needs boundaries. In this keynote, Sheri Jacobs, FASAE, CAE, shows leaders how to turn AI from a source of anxiety into a structured playground for smarter risk-taking. Through real-world stories and practical tools, she’ll help your audience define the right guardrails, set clear “failure boundaries,” and create space for people at every level to experiment with AI safely and creatively. Attendees leave with a simple, repeatable framework for using AI to spark innovation—without burning out their teams or betting the organization on the wrong ideas.

• Identify “failure boundaries” for AI experiments so people can take more shots without risking reputation, trust, or mission-critical outcomes.

• Recognize how clearly defined boundaries make AI-driven innovation safer, faster, and more sustainable for teams.

• Differentiate between work that should be automated by AI, work that should be augmented by AI, and work that should remain distinctly human.

• Apply a practical framework to design “red, yellow, and green” zones for AI use across teams, products, or member/customer experiences.

• Create a simple action plan for using AI pilots to build confidence, capability, and a culture of experimentation.

We’ve been told for years that the secret to innovation is to “think outside the box.” But what if that’s exactly what’s holding us back?

In this provocative and energizing keynote, bestselling author and innovation strategist Sheri Jacobs flips the script on everything we think we know about creativity. She introduces a bold new approach: Innovation doesn’t require unlimited freedom—it thrives within clear boundaries. Boundaries aren’t barriers. They’re the launchpads for smarter risk-taking, faster progress, and bold new ideas.

Blending vivid storytelling, original research, and real-world insights from leaders and organizations across industries, Sheri brings to life the surprising truth: when people know the edges, they go further. Drawing from her powerful “playground” story—where a simple fence unlocked a wave of exploration—she invites leaders to redefine failure, rethink constraints, and create a culture where experimentation becomes second nature.

Whether you’re leading a team, driving transformation, or simply trying to spark new thinking, this keynote will leave you with a powerful new lens on innovation and a practical toolkit to turn bold ideas into reality.

Attendees will learn:

1. A mindset shift on how boundaries drive—not block—creativity

2. A practical method to assess your team’s risk tolerance and readiness for change.

3. Strategies to create a culture where constraints fuel creativity rather than stifle progress.

In today’s market, traditional innovation approaches fail organizations, leading to stale ideas, missed opportunities, and potential obsolescence. Through an unconventional and highly engaging framework called “Worst Idea Never,” Sheri challenges traditional brainstorming methods and introduces a counterintuitive approach that consistently produces breakthrough innovations. 

This engaging presentation demonstrates how embracing seemingly “bad” ideas can transform your innovation pipeline and organizational culture. Using real-world case studies and interactive exercises, Sheri reveals how leading companies use this method to stay ahead of disruption and thrive in rapidly changing markets.

Attendees will:

1. Master the “Worst Idea Never” method to generate unexpected breakthrough innovations
2. Learn practical strategies to build an agile, innovation-driven culture
3. Develop frameworks for leveraging AI and emerging technologies to accelerate growth