Shermon O. Cruz, APF

Shermon Cruz is one of the world’s leading futurists and a recognized expert in strategic foresight, anticipatory governance, and futures literacy. He is the Founder, Executive Director, and Chief Futurist of the Center for Engaged Foresight, a Manila-based strategic foresight and futures innovation organization with global operations that supports governments, institutions, and organizations in developing long-term strategies and future-oriented policies.

Prof. Cruz made history as the first non-American and Asian Chair of the Board of the Association of Professional Futurists, the largest professional association of credentialed futurists with members in over 60 countries. He is also the Chair and CEO of the The Millennium Project Philippines Node, contributing to international foresight research and strategic intelligence initiatives.

A global advisor to the UNESCO Global Futures Literacy Initiative and the Dubai Future Foundation, Prof. Cruz is also a UNESCO Chair Candidate on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities. He co-founded the Philippine Futures Thinking Society, where he serves as Vice President and Chief Futurist, helping advance futures literacy and foresight practice in the Philippines.

In academia and research, Prof. Cruz serves as Regional Editor of the Journal of Futures Studies published by the Graduate Institute of Futures Studies at Tamkang University. He is also a supervising fellow and research fellow at the Development Academy of the Philippines Graduate School of Public and Development Management, where he contributes to the Certificate Course on Futures Thinking and Policy Foresight. As a lecturer and academic contributor, he has designed futures thinking and anticipatory governance courses for institutions such as the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, Northwestern University, and executive education programs at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

Prof. Cruz has served as a strategic foresight advisor and consultant to major international institutions including the Asian Development Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, the Rockefeller Foundation, and multiple global foresight networks and policy institutions. His work includes collaborations with foresight initiatives such as the OECD Strategic Foresight Unit and leadership programs across the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

A sought-after global speaker and trainer, Prof. Cruz has delivered foresight lectures and strategic advisory sessions for national governments, universities, research institutions, and international organizations. He has advanced futures and foresight initiatives in over 30 countries, trained approximately 15,000 individuals in futures literacy, and provided strategic foresight consulting to more than 500 government, corporate, and community-based organizations worldwide.

With extensive experience in governance, policy foresight, and risk management, Prof. Cruz previously held leadership roles in business continuity and risk management for global firms including EY, PwC, and Accenture. Throughout his career, he has supported more than 300 Fortune 500 companies in strengthening business continuity and risk management systems.

Prof. Cruz’s work focuses on strategic foresight-informed public policy, scenario-based planning, emerging issues analysis, horizon scanning, narrative foresight, anticipatory governance, and risk management, helping organizations and governments anticipate change and shape resilient, future-ready societies.