The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal recognized 51 women, plus one Career Achievement honoree, for their professional achievements and contributions to the Twin Cities community. They represent a broad range of industries, including education, real estate, health care and insurance, and include entrepreneurs at startups and C-level executives at large corporations. In Cheryl’s case, she represents an executive leader in the pharmaceutical industry, working for a manufacturer of both generic and brand medications that serves a wide variety of patient needs. Cheryl has an extensive breadth and depth of experience bringing products through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process and previously held leadership roles at Lundbeck, Eli Lilly & Co., Parke-Davis and Pfizer Global Research and Development. Prior to that, she was Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Texas (Austin).

Cheryl leads Upsher-Smith’s Global Regulatory Affairs function with her team, helping advance the company’s increasingly wide offering of products and programs and its expansion into its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. In May, she was appointed to the Upsher-Smith Executive Team, making her the first person of color and sole woman serving on the team. As a member of the company’s Executive Team, she shares responsibility with other Upsher-Smith senior leaders to advance strategies for business success. Cheryl serves as an Executive Sponsor of Upsher-Smith’s inaugural Women’s Employee Resource Group, launched as part of the company’s larger Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategies.

Cheryl serves as a member of several industry organizations, including the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals, Women’s Business Leaders in Healthcare, American Society of Quality, and Regulatory Affairs Professional Society. Cheryl has also been a long-time member and past chapter president of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA). She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.^® Delta Phi Omega Chapter and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter of The Links, Incorporated^®. She lends her experience to the 2021 Debutante Cotillion and Scholarship Program and the Services to Youth Committee, respectively. Cheryl has long track record of advocating for youth programs and is excited to be a part of introducing 18 “best and brightest” debutantes that are high school junior and senior African-American girls.