Cheryl grew up in St. Paul, MN and Peoria, IL. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a major in Spanish and US History. She attended graduate classes at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA and also at Southern Illinois University.

Her career includes teaching Spanish, English, Geography, US History and Government. Cheryl is Co-founder and Co-owner of International Gymnastics School-Camp Inc., International Sports Camp, and Trout Lake Retreats, in Stroudsburg, PA.

Cheryl moved to Don Pedro Island and became a Florida resident in 2005. Since that time, she has served as Secretary of Bocilla Islands Conservancy Inc. She has been instrumental in the conservation easement program and placed the first conservation easement property at 21 Cole Place into Conservancy Easement in 2017. Cheryl says, “I believe responsible conservation of nature is an act of love.”