Neal Sharma

Neal Sharma was named to the MRIGlobal Board of Directors in 2020. Sharma is the Co-Founder and former CEO of DEG, a full-service digital agency, and directed the growth of an organization that evolved from a small web development company in Kansas City to an over 600-person firm now a part of global agency, Merkle. During that time, DEG formed long-lasting partnerships with brands like Hallmark, Gap Inc., Nestlé Purina, Johnson & Johnson, Hub International, PepsiCo, and Sam’s Club/Walmart. Neal was also instrumental in completing DEG’s successful
sale to dentsu – the fifth-largest agency holding company in the world – for one of the highest multiples in the industry. He currently serves as President of dentsuDTC, an integrated solution managed at the network.

Neal has also been widely acknowledged for his personal achievements, having been featured in the Kansas City Business Journal’s “Power 100” list of influential leaders five years in a row, included as an Ingram’s Magazine “40 Under 40” honoree, named one of the 50 most influential people in technology in the region by The Kansas City Star, and chosen as a Central Midwest Finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Rivaling Neal’s passion for business and accomplishments in the field is his steadfast commitment to championing entrepreneurship and civic advancement. Neal currently serves as a board member of the Truman Library Institute, an advisory board member of the nonpartisan Heartland Forward think tank and the Opportunity Now economic initiative of Overland Park, and a fellow of the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program. Previously, he has given his time and expertise back to community organizations serving as the Co-Chair of regional collaborative KC Rising and as the Chair of the Kansas City chapter of the Young President’s Organization (YPO), as well as with organizations such as the University of Kansas Health System Advancement Board, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, Aligned, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and the Salvation Army Central Territory as the Christmas Chair for the Kansas City region.

He received his MBA from the University of Kansas in 2001 after graduating cum laude from American University in 1998 with an inter-disciplinary degree in Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government.

When away from the office, Neal spends as much time as he can traveling with his wife, Angela, and their three children. Neal and Angela are both involved members of the Kansas City community. Angela is an active mother, a member and leader of Building Better Moms Leawood, and an engaged member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.