Biography
Scharp is a senior level business and marketing leader with more than 30 years successful experience driving results for world-class, category leading organizations through strategic planning with a human-centered focus.
Currently, he is the Principal and Chief Strategy Officer for , an award-winning marketing and communications firm headquartered in Grand Rapids. Previously, Scharp was a member of the senior executive team for a global, faith-based, non-profit organization, . Scharp has worked with global brands including , Miller Knoll, , Harvard University, .
He's an Effie Award winner, the global symbol of recognition for marketing effectiveness and proudly serves as Vice President of Programming on the board for .
Scharp has been an Adjunct and Visiting Lecturer of Business & Marketing at Çàɬֱ²¥ since 2008 and is a recipient of Çàɬֱ²¥'s prestigious 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award. He brings a distinctive practitioner-scholar perspsective to the classroom, integrating current marketing practice, applied learning, human-centered strategy, and a Christ-centered understanding of vocation, stewardship, creativity, and service.
If he’s not working or teaching, he’s probably out exploring the world on a bike.
Education
- PhD (ABD currently), North Central University
- MBA, Western Michigan University
- BA, Journalism and Advertising, Liberty University
- BS, Business and Marketing, Liberty University
Professional Experience
- Principal and Chief Strategy Officer – Grey Matter Group
- Senior Vice President of Global Marketing – Our Daily Bread Ministries
- Marketing Director – Herman Miller
- Vice President of Marketing – HarperCollins Publishers
