Cheryl L. Richards, Ph.D.

Commission Member

NC Office of State Human Resources

Aug 2026 - Current (2 months)

Governor Stein appointee as one of 9 members of the NC State Office of State Human Resources Commission establishing governing policies and best practices. OSHR serves as the Center of Human Resources Collaboration and Facilitation for the State of North Carolina through an integrated, professional Human Resources function that is collaborative, strategic, and customer-focused, allowing state government to attract, retain, develop and motivate a high-performing, diverse workforce.

President & CEO

Catapult Employers Association

Oct 2021 - Current (5 years)

As the first female President & CEO of Catapult Employers Association, I lead one of the nation's premier employers' associations, serving organizations across more than 40 states with a strong presence throughout the Southeast. Upon the merger of two legacy organizations, my focus has been on unifying culture, strengthening our market presence, and positioning Catapult as a trusted strategic partner for employers, particularly small and mid-sized businesses.

Catapult helps employers navigate the increasingly complex world of work through a comprehensive suite of workforce and human capital solutions, including HR consulting, employment law guidance, recruiting and talent acquisition, compensation and workforce analytics, leaders

NC Works Commission Member

North Carolina Department of Commerce

Oct 2021 - Feb 2026 (4 years 5 months)

Governor Cooper appointee to NCWorks Commission which recommends policies and strategies that enable the state’s workforce and businesses to compete in the global economy.

The Commission is designated as the state’s Workforce Development Board under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Led by a private sector chair, the 33-member Governor appointed Commission includes representatives from the business community, heads of state workforce agencies, educators, and community leaders.

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President

Johnson Wales University Charlotte

Jun 2020 - Oct 2021 (1 year 5 months)

Served as the first female President of Johnson & Wales University's Charlotte Campus, providing executive leadership for a $65 million residential campus serving approximately 1,300 students across bachelor's and master's programs.

Led a complex higher education organization encompassing five academic colleges, 27 academic programs, 11 varsity athletic teams, and numerous student organizations and clubs. Focused on strengthening the student experience, career preparation, experiential learning, and the university's connections with business and industry.

This role continued a career-long focus on building organizations and partnerships that connect education, talent development, and workforce needs.

Board of Directors

Progressive Companies

Nov 2017 - Nov 2024 (7 years 1 month)

I served 7-years on the Board of Directors, including one chairing the successful executive search for the organization's next CEO. My role as chair of the search committee brought together leadership within and external to the organization helping ensure a strong leadership transition and continued organizational success.

Progressive is a multidisciplinary architecture, engineering, and design firm headquartered in Michigan, with offices in Charlotte and Detroit. The firm brings together architecture, engineering, interior design, planning, and workplace strategy to create innovative, people-centered environments for organizations and communities.

CEO & Founding Regional Dean

Northeastern University

Jun 2011 - Jun 2020 (9 years 1 month)

Founded and launched Northeastern University's Charlotte campus leading the development of the university's presence in the region. Built the campus from the ground up, growing the operation from $0 to $15 million, enrollment from 0 to over 1000 learners and established a strong network of partnerships connecting higher education, employers, and the broader business community.

This role brought together many of the themes that have defined my career: entrepreneurial leadership, organizational growth, workforce development, leadership development, and creating stronger connections between education and the needs of employers.

Campus & Academic Dean

Central Piedmont Community College

Dec 2008 - May 2011 (2 years 6 months)

Provided leadership for Central Piedmont's Cato Campus, serving more than 10,000 students enrolled in Professional Careers, English as a Second Language, Basic Skills, and Cato Middle College High School, a partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Provided strategic and academic leadership across a diverse portfolio of programs focused on career preparation, workforce development, and student success, while strengthening partnerships connecting education, employers, and the community.

Successfully advocated for fiscal resources that led to the creation of a new Student Union and laid the foundation for $24M 85,000sf campus expansion with new classrooms, horticulture greenhouse, and expanded parking facilities. E

Associate Dean, Corporate & Continuing Education and Business & Industry Learning

Central Piedmont Community College

Jun 2004 - Dec 2008 (4 years 7 months)

Serving more than 46,000 individuals, Corporate & Continuing Education programs represent all non-credit and competency based training for CPCC. Hired to establish a new department (Business & Industry Learning) dedicated to collaborating with business to create training partnerships with corporations across the Charlotte community. Later promoted to provide leadership in the college's $7M+ Continuing Education division, overseeing New & Expanding Industry and Focused Industrial Training programs, Leadership, Management & Professional Development, Contract Training Services, the Financial Services Institute, and Health & Community Services.

Led strategic marketing and sales operations to enhance program visibility internally and

Director, Marketing & New Student Enrollment

Regis University

May 2000 - Jun 2004 (4 years 2 months)

Oversight for marketing and enrollment of adult students in the School for Professional Studies representing 13,000 of Regis University's 16,000 total student body. Programs included undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and teacher education; all offered in accelerated formats, classroom and online learning.

Director, Member Services

EDUCAUSE

Aug 1999 - May 2000 (10 months)

Director, Conference Meeting & Event Services

University of Denver

Apr 1997 - Aug 1999 (2 years 5 months)

Admissions Counselor

Colorado State University

Jan 1994 - Apr 1997 (3 years 4 months)

Cheryl L. Richards, Ph.D.

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Cheryl L. Richards, Ph.D.

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Behavioral traits