Shane Cragun

Shane R. Cragun, a son, father, brother, and grandfather, and a global advisor, consultant, and educator in leadership whose influence reached across industries and continents, passed away on February 3, 2026, in Sacramento, California, at the age of 60.

Born in St. Louis and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Shane developed an early curiosity about people and what drives them to grow, change, and excel. In high school, he moved to Utah, which became home for much of his life. From there, he lived and worked throughout the United States as well as in Asia and Europe, shaping a global perspective and deep appreciation for culture and connection. Though his work took him far and wide, he never stopped calling the Bay Area “home,” returning often to Northern California to recharge.

Shane graduated from Weber High School and went on to earn both his bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University. Early in life, he also devoted two years to volunteer service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City, where he spoke Russian—an experience that deepened his appreciation for people, language, and cross-cultural understanding.

Shane devoted his career to the development of leaders—not through grandstanding or theory alone, but through careful listening, clear thinking, and principled challenge. He served as Managing Partner at LeadersCode ai, Senior Partner at Korn Ferry, Managing Partner at SweetmanCragun Group, and Co-Founder and President of The Cornerstone Group. His clientele included high-profile governmental and private-sector organizations worldwide, including many Fortune 500 companies. Known for his energetic presence and intellectual rigor, he helped leaders and organizations move forward with clarity and accountability, becoming a trusted mentor and source of insight in moments that mattered.

Shane was the co-author of Reinvention: Accelerating Results in the Age of Disruption (2016) and contributed to multiple other books. His work appeared in leading publications including Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneur Magazine, CEO Magazine, Canadian Business Journal, India Daily News, and The European Business Review.

While widely known for his professional achievements, Shane treasured the quieter moments most—time spent with family hiking in Montana, taking his grandkids to McDonald’s, and proudly celebrating his children’s accomplishments.

He also had a deep love for the outdoors and a lifelong appetite for adventure. A thrill seeker at heart, he enjoyed camping, exploring, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling. When he traveled, he sought the “real deal,” preferring to live like a local and understand the heart of a place. Inspired by frontier explorers such as Jim Bridger, he was a modern-day explorer who memorized trails, discovered otherworldly places, and could map a city within days. Along the way, he immersed himself in local culture, carrying with him a wide-ranging passion for music and movies that helped him connect quickly with people and stories wherever he went.

Shane is survived by his children, Sidney (Dan) Zimmerman of Tooele, Utah; Davis (Megan) Cragun of Dallas, Texas; Chase (Hannah) Cragun of Farmington, Michigan; and Abby (Andrew) Salway of Vineyard, Utah; his grandchildren, Arrow, Alder, and Enzo Zimmerman, and Walt and Reyna Cragun; his mother, Mary Beth Cragun; his siblings, Jennifer Heslop, Dustin Cragun, Rhett Cragun, and Trent Cragun; his former wife and the mother of his children, Cherise (Breitweiser) Anderson; and his former wife and business partner, Kate Sweetman. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Rodney Cragun (2001).

Those who knew Shane will remember his confidence, sharp mind, tireless work ethic, and rare ability to make people feel both challenged and genuinely seen. His influence endures through the many lives he touched, the organizations he helped shape, and the example he set of thoughtful, principled leadership.

A memorial service celebrating Shane’s life and legacy will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 28th at Myers Mortuary 845 Washington Blvd in Ogden, Utah. Family will meet friends from 10-11 am prior to the memorial service at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation at https://www.myers-mortuary.com/obituaries/shane-cragun/guestpayment

Please share your memories of Shane on his memorial page at www.myers-mortuary.com.