Sherry Orel | Source | Founder & CEO at Next Level Catapult

Sherry Orel – Visionary Business Strategist, M&A Expert, and Leadership Mentor
Sherry Orel is a transformative business strategist, dealmaker, and leadership mentor who helps business owners achieve extraordinary growth, value creation, and high-impact exits. As the Founder and CEO of Next Level Catapult, she coaches executives and entrepreneurs on how to optimize operations, scale intelligently, and position their companies for high-value transactions. She is known for her no-nonsense, action-oriented approach, pushing leaders to think bigger, execute smarter, and build businesses that stand the test of time.
With over 30 years of executive experience, Sherry has led businesses generating over $1.5 billion in revenue and facilitated more than $1 billion in acquisitions and equity deals. She has worked with industry giants like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Nestlé, Walmart, and Target, driving long-term strategic growth and positioning businesses for optimal valuation.
In addition to leading Next Level Catapult, Sherry is a Managing Director at STS Capital Partners, where she helps business owners navigate complex exit strategies and maximize their financial outcomes. Her expertise in M&A, risk mitigation, and valuation strategy makes her a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, private equity firms, and high-net-worth investors.
But beyond the titles and transactions, Sherry is a force of nature—an individual who sets the bar high, demands excellence, and brings a rare combination of intellect, intuition, and pragmatism to every endeavor. She is known for her direct yet deeply insightful coaching style, helping leaders cut through the noise and take decisive action that leads to tangible success.
Sherry’s commitment to leadership extends beyond the boardroom. She is an active member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), serving on the board of the Women’s Business Network and previously holding leadership roles in regional chapters. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the Childhood Domestic Violence Organization, demonstrating her passion for creating meaningful impact beyond business.
A lifelong learner and multidimensional thinker, Sherry attended Purdue University and Roosevelt University and has pursued her passion for precision and excellence in culinary arts at CHIC Le Cordon Bleu. Her love of food mirrors her approach to business—meticulous, strategic, and always focused on the perfect execution.
A dynamic and engaging speaker, Sherry delivers sharp insights, real-world strategies, and thought-provoking perspectives that challenge audiences to think differently, act decisively, and build businesses that don’t just grow—but thrive, scale, and sell for maximum value. Whether discussing scaling for exit, strategic deal-making, or leadership transformation, Sherry brings a unique blend of hard data, real-world experience, and no-BS wisdom to the stage.
Her philosophy is simple: Success isn’t just about growth—it’s about strategic, intentional growth that leads to extraordinary outcomes.