The Sound of Success

Many of the most famous musicians and podcasters, along with thousands of other entertainers, have all used Shure microphones and audio equipment, which have quietly shaped how the world hears music, voices, and events for more than a century.  

As president, CEO, and chairman of Shure Incorporated, Christine Schyvinck (MEM ‘99) has served as the company's driving force since 2016. 

“My role is as much about listening and learning as it is about setting strategy and making decisions that support the company’s future,” Christine said. “I’m energized by the people I work with and by seeing how our products show up in meaningful moments around the world.” 

Those meaningful moments are many, ranging from global events like the Super Bowl and the Grammy Awards to in-home podcast and video recording sessions. 

That puts Christine in an important seat at a culturally important company. It’s a role she doesn’t take lightly.  

It’s rewarding to be part of a company where the work truly matters to so many different communities,” she said. “I’m proud that we’ve continued to grow while remaining grounded in who we are.”  

Christine also remains grounded—thanks in part to her experience with Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program. In addition to being a graduate of the program, she is a member of the MEM Advisory Board that helps guide the program’s curriculum to ensure it remains aligned with industry needs. It is one way for Christine to give back to the program she said gave her so much.  

When Christine joined the MEM program as a student, it was because she wanted something few programs offered.  

“The MEM program appealed to me because it recognized—perhaps before its time—that leadership and technical expertise are deeply connected,” she said. “I wanted to learn management skills while staying grounded and relevant in technology.” 

The program helped propel her up the Shure ladder.  

She joined the company in 1989 as a quality control engineer. She moved into process engineering after several promotions, and was vice president of corporate quality when she started in MEM.  

Soon after graduating, she was named vice president of operations. She was later promoted to executive vice president, helping open Shure's first manufacturing facility in China.  

In 2006, Christine became executive vice president for global marketing and sales. During 10 years in that role, sales increased by more than 78 percent.  

Christine said the MEM education was key to her success, though the lessons didn’t only come from the front of the classroom. 

“I got just as much benefit from my student peers as I did from the curriculum,” she said. “Solving problems is most effective when you solicit a wide range of experiences and perspectives.” 

Christine’s gratitude toward the MEM program was on display in December when she spoke at Northwestern Engineering's Fall 2025 PhD Hooding and Master's Recognition Ceremony.  

“I’m grateful for the role the MEM community has played in my career and value the opportunity to stay connected and give back in meaningful ways,” she said. “MEM graduates have a strong ability to move comfortably between technical detail and broader business thinking, which makes them well-prepared for leadership roles.”  

While Christine's ties to MEM are strong, her goal was to deliver an impactful message to all graduates. 

“I wanted to offer reassurance and encouragement, especially for those who may not yet have everything figured out,” she said. “I wanted graduates to leave feeling confident in their ability to grow into what comes next.”  

As for what’s coming next at Shure, the company is evolving from a world-class audio hardware company into a full, AI-ready collaboration and audio platform company, while also doubling down on its leadership in live performance, broadcast, and wireless audio.  

"AI is helping us think differently about how we work and how we make decisions," she said. "At the same time, we’re very intentional about using it as a complement to human insight rather than a replacement for it."