Cheryl has extensive training and professional experience in healthcare, spiritual care and organisational change and management. She began employment as a speech pathologist before moving into spiritual care positions at state and national levels. She was appointed Chief Executive Officer to Spiritual Health Association in 2002. She completed a Masters in 2014 focused on management & leadership and completed a PhD in 2023 exploring the narratives shaping the future of spiritual care in Australian public hospitals. She was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her spiritual care roles in the health sector on Australia Day 2015.