An accomplished thought leader, Ms. Cheryl D. Polk currently lends her professional expertise to the United Way of Greater St. Louis. With an extensive background in business development, Cheryl Polk has proven to be an integral part of the organization’s growth. Cheryl Polk oversees organizational strategies as well as internal and external operations, including board and volunteer partnerships, human resources, finance and accounting, area-wide agreements, and the Management Assistance Center. Cheryl Polk first joined United Way in a professional capacity as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, where she took a role as Major Gifts Officer for the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, Charmaine Chapman Society, and the Woman’s Leadership Giving Initiative. Prior to joining United Way, Cheryl Polk served as the Director of Donor Services for the American Red Cross of the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. In this role, Cheryl Polk led a team of 500 employees and managed a $100 million budget. Under Cheryl Polk’s keen guidance, the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region went from 10th in donations to 2nd, setting 11 all-time collections records. Cheryl Polk also facilitated the development of the Charles Drew Community Blood Donation Campaign to encourage more African Americans to donate blood, a project that has received international accolades. Cheryl Polk also held significant roles as the Vice President of New Business Development & Marketing of Provident Counseling, Inc.; Operations Manager of INROADS/St. Louis, Inc.; and Vice President of DBP Consultants, Inc. Over the course of her professional career, Cheryl Polk has received numerous awards for her work. In 2009 she was selected and recognized by the Girl Scout Council of Eastern Missouri (the largest council in the nation) as a “Woman of Distinction” – a high honor for the Council. Cheryl Polk was also recently named a “Woman of Achievement” by KMOX-Suburban Journals alongside nine other women. Cheryl Polk’s past awards included being named one of St Louis’ Most Influential Business Women in 2004 and the YWCA Leader of Distinction in 2005. Cheryl Polk also received the Mathews-Dickey Meritorious Community Service Award in 2007. Additionally, Cheryl Polk has been featured in a number of esteemed publications, including “Ms.,” “Working Woman,” “Essence,” and “Alive.” Committed to making a difference through as many avenues as possible, Cheryl Polk leverages her years of experience and leadership toward a number of organizations. Cheryl Polk currently serves as Vice Chairman of A World of Difference Institute of the Anti-Defamation League and President of the Missouri Historical Society Friends Board. In addition, Cheryl Polk maintains involvement in various committees, such as the Education, Public Policy, and Health Committee of the St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable; the Executive Committee for the Cultural Leadership: Gateway Center for Giving; and the Conservation Committee for the St. Louis Zoo. Cheryl Polk obtained her Master of Business Administration from St. Louis Missouri’s Washington University. Cheryl Polk is also a graduate of Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Program and of Creighton University, from which she took her Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.