From 1981-1999,  Cheryl worked for Lockheed Martin, a $33B defense contractor. Her last assignment with Lockheed Martin was as its Director of Executive Resource Planning and Development where she led the corporation's succession planning process. During her 18 years with Martin Marietta and Lockheed Martin, Cheryl held a variety of increasingly responsible human resource development positions in its Information Systems business and at the corporate level.

Cheryl has also worked as the Director of Training for The American Center for Quality of Work Life, a nonprofit organization that educated and consulted with labor and management groups on Quality of Worklife initiatives and as a Senior Consultant with Technical Assistance and Training Corporation.

 Cheryl holds an Ed.S degree in Human Resource Development from George Washington University, a Masters Degree in Public Administration from The American University and a B.A. from St. Lawrence University. She has written several articles on career development and succession planning.