Sheri L. Dew was born in Ulysses, Kansas in 1954, to Charles and JoAnn Peterson Dew, growing up on a large farm. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Brigham Young University and attended BYU Graduate School. She is a former Relief Society general board member, Stake Relief Society president, counselor in stake Relief Society presidency, ward Relief Society president; vice president of publishing, Deseret Book Company, previously director of publishing and associate publisher, This People magazine, and assistant editor for Bookcraft. 13 March 2002 she became president and chief executive officer of Deseret Book Company. (Deseret News 2001-2002 Church Almanac, 115)