about shari 

Shari Wynne Ressler is an Austin-based entrepreneur, attorney and ecosystem builder dedicated to helping people achieve success.

In June 2021, Shari transitioned from a 30-year legal career of entrepreneurship and legal/business consulting for emerging companies.  

In January 2023, Shari launched partner and investor development for her current venture - a new concept boutique hotel - KASAMA Retreat Hotels: private “purpose-driven hotels” with a public voice.  Shari is leading KASAMA’s Flagship development, establishing KASAMA as the place for experiences with purpose - journeys, celebrations, events and retreats for innovators, creatives, and thought leaders, to come together for collaboration and connection.  

By way of background, Shari graduated from Berkeley Law School and has spent her career in service building infrastructure and teams for her clients.  She worked in preeminent government and private law firms. In 1996, Shari moved to Austin, Texas to participate in a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.  She co-founded what became RWR Legal, a full-service Legal Consultancy representing and connecting innovators, startups and high-growth companies with vital resources and services for success.  In February 2020, RWR Legal partnered with the national law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich to join their emerging entrepreneurial law business practice.  Her husband and partner Richard Ressler, now serves as Managing Partner for the Austin office of Michael Best, developing his law practice with the Michael Best Family of Companies (VentureBest.com, MichaelBest.com, MichaelBestStrategies.com), and specifically growing their Austin Office.  

In 2011, Shari brought together and fostered what is now Austin’s active consumer products industry by co-founding SKU, now a national/leading CPG Accelerator. She remains a Board Member and Mentor (www.sku.is) and is a Founders Circle Member for Naturally Austin (NaturallyAustin.org).  Shari actively engages with Austin’s CPG, Innovator and Investor communities and continues to support the integration of Michael Best’s established Legal, Regulatory and Governmental Relations practices into the Austin community and nationally.  

Shari’s continues to mentor and connect leaders to strategic resources for success and remains active in Austin’s entrepreneurial and venture ecosystems.  She has served in many roles, most notably past president of the Austin chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and RISEwomen.

Shari holds a B.A from UC Davis, and J.D from UC Berkely School of Law.

What makes Shari’s life and career exceptional is not where she has worked or what she has accomplished, but rather how she has led a purpose-driven life, incorporating her experiences and adapting to her endeavors to achieve success for herself and others.