With a bachelor’s degree in education, Cheri’s career began in the Oklahoma City Public School District in 1993.  From there, she became a licensed and ordained minister and joined the pastoral staff at Crossings Community Church, where she led their Children’s Ministry Program through major growth over 17 years.  

In that time, Cheri also earned her master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Cheri launched the Crossings Christian School. Wrapping up her career at Crossings, she spent her last three years building a Crossings Volunteer Ministry Program. 

While serving on the Board of Directors at Wings: A Special Needs Community, her passion to serve the IDD community grew immensely. In 2016, when the Wings Executive Director position became open, Cheri was asked to apply. Cheri is entering her eighth year in executive leadership at Wings, during which she has overseen tremendous program growth, strategic development, community connections, curriculum improvement, and the launching of the Wings Thriving Together Capital Campaign to fulfill the founders’ original vision of providing a residential community for adults with IDD in Oklahoma City. 

In 2018, Cheri guided Wings toward accreditation from the National Commission for Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES). Wings is the only NCASES accredited program for adults with IDD in central Oklahoma. In recognition of Cheri’s passion for best practices and Wings’ high quality service model, Cheri has been asked to serve as a national Site Reviewer by NCASES.