Sheryl led asset development, planned giving, advisor and affiliate relations, and nonprofit fundholder services at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina for over 21 years. Her volunteer roles have included service to AdNet (Advancement Network for Community Foundations), the Council on Foundations, the North Carolina Planned Giving Council, and the Land of Sky Estate Planning Council. For eight years, Sheryl served as a peer reviewer for the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, conducting rigorous policy, program, and operational accreditation assessments.

Sheryl is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson College and holds a masters degree in Management of Nonprofit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University.