Conversations with Christal Cherry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christal Cherry.

Hi Christal, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My path to this work wasn’t linear—it was lived.

I started my career in nonprofit fundraising over 20 years ago, working inside organizations that were doing meaningful, community-centered work but often struggling behind the scenes. I sat in boardrooms where decisions were made about communities without them, where fundraising felt transactional instead of relational, and where board members wanted to help but didn’t always know how. I also saw incredible boards—thoughtful, values-driven people—held back by unclear roles, outdated structures, or unspoken tension.

Over time, I realized something important: most nonprofit challenges don’t start with money—they start in the boardroom.

I served as a development director, executive leader, board member, and consultant, which gave me a 360-degree view of how governance, culture, power, and fundraising intersect. As a Black woman in philanthropy, I also experienced firsthand how race, class, and access shape whose voices are trusted and whose leadership is affirmed. Those experiences pushed me to ask harder questions about equity, belonging, and what leadership should look like in the social sector.

That’s what led me to found The Board Pro.

I created the business to help nonprofit boards move from good intentions to effective, inclusive action. My work focuses on board governance, fundraising, recruitment, culture, and CEO–board relationships—always through a human-centered, equity-rooted lens. I work with organizations across the country, facilitating retreats, coaching executives, recruiting board members, and helping boards become places where accountability, belonging, and impact coexist.

Along the way, I’ve expanded that work through speaking, writing, and training—co-authoring a book on racism in nonprofit fundraising, writing a children’s book about adoption and belonging, launching the Board Shake-Up Podcast, and building programs that prepare leaders—especially women and leaders of color—to take their seats at decision-making tables without shrinking.

Today, I see The Board Pro as more than a consulting practice—it’s a movement toward boards that actually work: boards that reflect their communities, share power thoughtfully, raise money with integrity, and govern with courage.
I didn’t start out trying to build a brand. I started by listening—really listening—to people who cared deeply and wanted to do better. I’m still doing that. The difference now is that I help turn those conversations into structures, strategies, and cultures that last.

And honestly? I’m just getting started.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Short answer? Absolutely not. Meaningful work rarely is.

The biggest challenge has been building something new in a sector that often clings to what’s familiar—even when it’s not working. I’ve spent years helping boards name hard truths about power, race, money, and accountability, and that kind of work can make people uncomfortable. Sometimes I’ve been invited in because leaders wanted change… and then realized change requires them to change too. That tension has been real.

There were also moments of self-doubt—especially early on. Leaving the perceived safety of traditional nonprofit roles to build The Board Pro meant betting on my voice, my perspective, and my lived experience in a field that hasn’t always made space for them. As a Black woman leading conversations about governance and fundraising, I’ve had to work twice as hard to be seen as both credible and compassionate, strategic and relational.

Another struggle was learning the business side of entrepreneurship. Being good at the work doesn’t automatically mean you know how to price it, protect your time, or say no. I had to unlearn the idea that service requires self-sacrifice and learn how to build boundaries, systems, and sustainability—so I could show up fully for my clients without burning out.

And then there’s the emotional labor. Holding space for organizations in crisis, boards in conflict, and leaders carrying enormous responsibility can be heavy. I’ve had to build my own support systems, rest practices, and community—because you can’t pour into others if you’re running on empty.

That said, every struggle clarified my purpose. Each obstacle sharpened my voice, strengthened my approach, and reinforced why this work matters. The road hasn’t been smooth—but it’s been honest, impactful, and deeply aligned. And I wouldn’t trade that for an easier path.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At the heart of my work is one simple belief: strong missions need strong boards—and strong boards are built, not born.

Through The Board Pro, I work with nonprofit organizations across the country to help boards become more effective, inclusive, and aligned with the communities they serve. I specialize in board governance, fundraising, recruitment, culture, and CEO–board relationships. Practically, that looks like facilitating board retreats, training boards on roles and responsibilities, helping them raise money without fear or awkwardness, recruiting new board members, and coaching executive directors and CEOs through moments of growth or transition.

What I’m most known for is my ability to tell the truth with care. I help boards name what’s really happening—power dynamics, burnout, inequity, disengagement—without shaming or finger-pointing. I translate complexity into language people can understand and act on. I bring structure and humanity into rooms that often need both.

I’m especially proud of the work I’ve done to shift how boards think about fundraising. I help board members move from “I don’t ask for money” to “I build relationships that fuel impact.” That mindset shift changes not just revenue, but confidence, ownership, and culture. I’m also proud of the leaders—particularly women and leaders of color—who have told me my work helped them claim their voice, take their seat, or stay at the table when things got hard.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just work with boards—I understand them from the inside. I’ve been a fundraiser, an executive leader, a board member, a donor, and a consultant. I bring a lived, 360-degree perspective that allows me to see patterns others miss and offer solutions that are both strategic and humane. I also center equity and belonging not as add-ons, but as essential to good governance and long-term sustainability.

Ultimately, I’m most proud that my work helps organizations move from good intentions to real impact. When a board leaves the room clearer, braver, more connected, and better equipped to lead—that’s the win. And that’s why this work continues to matter so deeply to me.

What’s next?
The future feels expansive—and very intentional.

I’m in a season of building for scale and longevity, not just activity. One of my biggest priorities is growing The Board Pro beyond me as an individual and into a platform that shapes how nonprofit board leadership is understood and practiced nationally. That means expanding trainings, certification programs, and tools that help organizations build boards rooted in equity, accountability, and belonging—not just compliance.

I’m especially excited about continuing to develop programs that prepare leaders—particularly women and leaders of color—to step into board service with confidence and clarity. Too often, talented people are invited into governance spaces without the preparation or support they deserve. I want to change that narrative by normalizing board readiness, mentorship, and earned leadership.

On the content side, I’m leaning further into thought leadership. I’m working on a book focused on building boards where everyone belongs, expanding my writing and podcasting, and creating more accessible learning experiences for people who want to engage with this work but may not yet be in formal leadership roles. I’m looking forward to using my voice more boldly—to challenge outdated norms and offer practical alternatives that actually work.

There are also some exciting partnerships on the horizon—collaborations that bridge philanthropy, corporate engagement, and nonprofit leadership in new ways. I’m drawn to opportunities that allow boards to be resourced and reimagined at the same time.

More than anything, I’m planning for sustainability—personally and professionally. I want my work to be impactful without being extractive, ambitious without being exhausting. The big change ahead is depth over hustle: fewer things, done well, with integrity.

What I’m most looking forward to is this next chapter of influence—helping shape not just individual boards, but the broader conversation about what leadership in the social sector can and should be. That feels both exciting and necessary.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theboardpro.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christal-m-cherry

Image Credits
ReFramed Media, LLC