Matthew E. May

Matthew E. May is an internationally recognized leader on strategy, innovation, and lean. As the Founder & CEO of StratInnoSys and creator of The Idea Score, he specializes in helping senior executives and teams craft competitive strategies and innovative approaches that result in sustainable competitive advantages. His work extends beyond business frameworks; he aims to inspire new thinking, share unique perspectives, tell compelling stories, and deliver practical takeaways in his presentations. With a background that includes eight years as a full-time advisor at Toyota, May brings profound insights from one of the world’s leading examples of efficiency and innovation.

May has authored five influential books on innovative thinking, his latest being "Winning the Brain Game: Fixing the 7 Fatal Flaws of Thinking." His other notable works include "The Laws of Subtraction," where he outlines six simple rules for winning in the age of excess everything; "In Pursuit of Elegance," which explores why the best ideas often have something missing; "The Shibumi Strategy," and "The Elegant Solution," drawing heavily from his extensive experience at Toyota. His expertise is frequently sought in prominent publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Strategy+Business, The Rotman Magazine, Fast Company, and Harvard Business Review blogs. May also writes the bimonthly “Brain Game” column for Inc. magazine.

May is a graduate of The Wharton School, where he earned his MBA, and Johns Hopkins University, where he obtained his BA. His unique combination of educational background, professional experience, and creative achievements, including winning the New Yorker cartoon caption contest, positions him as a leading thinker in the fields of strategy, innovation, and operational efficiency. His keynote speeches, which include "Mind of the Innovator," "Elegant Leadership," and "Competing for the Future," are celebrated for integrating interactive elements that engage the audience directly, making complex concepts accessible and actionable.