Shermin Kruse is a globally recognized author, law professor, speaker, and TEDx producer whose transformative work in empathy, stoicism, and complex negotiation has influenced audiences from corporate boardrooms to university classrooms and international stages. Born in Tehran during a period of profound social and political upheaval, Shermin began her writing journey at the age of 10, penning poetry in Farsi as a means of processing life under the intense pressures of war and governmental oppression. Her family later immigrated to Canada with little more than a few suitcases, marking the beginning of a journey that would see Shermin rise from a young immigrant to a celebrated thought leader and influential global voice.
With a background in philosophy and neuropsychology from the University of Toronto and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School, Shermin launched her legal career with a specialty in international business law. As a partner at the prestigious law firm Barack Ferrazzano, she spent 17 years representing Fortune 500 clients, including giants like LVMH, Google, and Walmart. Her legal practice, grounded in resolution-oriented strategies, provided her with in-depth expertise in high-stakes negotiations, cross-border transactions, and corporate management. This experience became a foundation for her approach to tactical empathy, a method she pioneered that combines cognitive empathy with strategic action to create lasting impact and positive change.
Her work as a writer includes the textbook Global Transactions and Regulation, an essential resource for law students and business professionals alike, which provides insights into the ethical, political, and legal dimensions of cross-border commercial activities.
As the founder and executive producer of TEDxWrigleyville, Shermin has produced and scripted over 80 TEDx and TED talks and performances with millions of views across dozens of countries. These talks, often centered on resilience, cultural understanding, and the transformative power of empathy, reflect her dedication to curating ideas that promote social change. Shermin has also delivered three TEDx talks herself, viewed by hundreds of thousands worldwide.
In addition to her role as a professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where she teaches stoic empathy negotiations, leadership, and global transactions, Shermin frequently speaks on stoic empathy, influence and leadership, sharing her expertise at academic conferences, corporate events, and through media outlets such as Maxim, NPR, PBS, Medium, and dozens of influential podcast appearances.
Shermin’s impact extends beyond the academic and corporate worlds to the non-profit sector, where she has founded multiple NGOs and serves on the boards of organizations such as the ACLU and RefuSHE.
Her humanitarian work has earned her accolades including the annual Woman Extraordinaire award from the International Women Associates, recognition as one of the nation’s top 100 “Women to Watch” by BizWomen Magazine, and numerous other honors that celebrate her dedication to fostering empathy, justice, and human rights.
In Stoic Empathy, Shermin offers a powerful paradigm for navigating life’s complexities by blending cognitive empathy with the resilience of stoic principles. Drawing on neuroscience, philosophy, and her own personal journey, she provides readers with actionable insights into cultivating influence, self-leadership, and emotional regulation. Whether you’re a corporate leader, educator, parent, or simply seeking tools to navigate personal and professional challenges with integrity, Stoic Empathy is a roadmap for achieving success through balance, compassion, and strength.
Shermin lives in Chicago with her four children.
