“Changing the Culture of Leadership One Leader at a Time”

Cheryl is a nationally acknowledged subject-matter expert in organizational and leadership development. Recognized by both the public and private sectors for achieving strong results through innovative practices, she is the recipient of the prestigious W. Edwards Deming Award for Excellence in Training.

As an industry-thought leader and business consultant specializing in strategic planning and organizational development, she helps C-level leadership come to consensus on their company’s desired culture and strategically guides them through the necessary actions to make that desired culture a reality. Cheryl has worked across diverse industries for organizations of all sizes, many of which are geographically dispersed and diverse in population.

Throughout her 30-year career, she has helped set the gold standard in such areas as identifying and implementing talent management strategies in support of sound hiring practices, innovative employee engagement, employee development strategies, retention programs that create stability and policy design and implementation.

In addition, to be a nationally coveted speaker, Cheryl is an associate professor of organizational and leadership development, entrepreneur and author. She currently serves as the Deputy Chief Learning Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) where she has been publicly-recognized for creating a culture shift in employee development managing development 7,800 full-time and 12,000 Reservist employees. Her private sector experience includes management positions in media and broadcasting, merchandising and management consulting, among others.

• Doctor of Philosophy, Organization & Management, Capella University, 2009
• Master of Science, Criminal Justice, with honors, American Public University, 2012
• Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, National University, 2006
• Bachelor of Science in Communications, Ithaca College, 1987
• Post Graduate Teaching Certificate, Capella University, 2010.
• Master Certificate, Homeland Security, American Public University, 2012
• Professional Certificate, General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, 2011.
• Professional Certificate, The Chief Information Officer Academy, University of South Carolina (private/public partnership program).  2001.
• Professional Certificate.  Treasury Executive Institute Executive Leadership Program, Cornell University.  2016.

• Sigma Assessments, Leadership Skills Profile® Assessment Certified
• Sigma Assessments, Focus 360-Assessment Certified
• Cultural Intelligence Center, Assessment and Training Certified
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Hiam’s Conflict Resolution Styles
• Center for Creative Leadership Assessment Certified
• Basic Instructor Qualified, Sandia National Laboratories
• On-the-Job Instructor Qualified, Sandia National Laboratories
• Root-Cause Analysis Qualified, Yucca Mountain Project
• Golden Key International Honor Society, Premier Collegiate Honor Society, member
• Alpha Phi Sigma, Criminal Justice Honor Society, Past President
• Pi Gammu Mu, Social Sciences Honor Society, Founding President

Dr. Cheryl Seminara’s work has been recognized organizationally, regionally and on a national level. She credits her success to establishing a strong vision; identifying innovative solutions to challenges; and developing strong partnerships to ensure success.

Awards:

• Training Officers Consortium Award for Innovation, June 2016
• W. Edwards Deming Award for Excellence, May 2014
• Training Officers Consortium Award for Leader Development, June, 2013
• FEMA Administrator’s Award for Innovation, December 2012
• Department of Homeland Security Spot Award –2010 for outstanding customer service
• STAR Awards – 2007, 2008, 2009 – Outstanding performance at Yucca Mountain Project