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Christal M. Cherry is a nationally acclaimed nonprofit board consultant and certified leadership coach. With over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has supported higher education institutions, human services organizations, and faith-based missions. Her extensive career as a full-time consultant includes working with the Boys and Girls Club USA, Habitat for Humanity, DeKalb, the Ahmaud Arbery Foundation, the Junior League, YWCA USA, Emory University, United Negro College Fund, Spelman College, Scholarship America, Nicholas House, Florida A&M University, and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits.
In each of her roles, Christal has collaborated with CEOs, board chairs, and their diverse boards comprising doctors, business professionals, college presidents, ministers and bishops, politicians, corporate CEOs, teachers, civic leaders, consultants, attorneys, stay-at-home moms, and students.
With passion and extensive experience, Christal assists clients in establishing a clear path to success in board development. Her style is electrifying, inspiring, and energizing.
Christal holds a MA in Counseling from Hampton University, a BA in Liberal Arts from Hofstra University, and professional development certifications in nonprofit leadership, social media fundraising, and nonprofit management. She is also certified as a Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach.
She currently serves on the board of directors for Atlanta-based nonprofits, the Villages of Carver YMCA, Fabulous Female Fundraisers, Nicholas House, and Lift to Enrich Inc. She is a sought-after guest presenter on topics such as equitable board governance, recruitment, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Christal has been featured on multiple podcasts and serves as an expert on board matters.
Christal is a contributing author of Collecting Courage, a documentation of racism and survival by 14 accomplished Black fundraisers across North America. She is a member of the African American Development Officers Network and the Founder and Chair of the Board of Directors for F3, Fabulous Female Fundraisers Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit. In 2021, Christal published her first children's book, Mac and Cheez: Being Different is Okay, available on Amazon. Christal lives in Atlanta with her son Mac and dog, Charlie.
the Who and the how we get your board on track
At The Board Pro, we believe that the most successful organizations are led by visionary leaders who can transform the world. We understand that who’s at the top matters. Our mission is to coach and train nonprofit boards to harness and optimize their individual and collective talents and resources to support mission-driven nonprofits.
Through personalized consultation, we tailor our training and support to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether it’s one-on-one coaching, a refresher on board roles and responsibilities, onboarding and culture, recruitment, or an in-depth customized training to assess performance, revise goals, or energize your board to raise funds, The Board Pro can guide, counsel, and facilitate the right engagement experience for your budget.
Christal M. Cherry
The Board Pro
My extensive DEI experience, encapsulated in "Planting the Seeds for Change: A Journey Towards DEI for Boards," can help boards identify blind spots, assess their composition, and recruit and prepare members to engage in collaborative behaviors. This approach fosters a culture of change and creates environments where everyone feels welcomed.
