Mitzi Rivas

Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Livie & Luca

Mitzi managed Cheri directly at Livie & Luca

As CEO of Livie & Luca, Cheri served as my Chief of Staff, Executive Assistant, and Advisor.  Cheri is integrative, kind, and mobilizing. She's committed to bringing her best self forward everyday while bringing out the best in others.  Her leadership style is objective, humble, courageous, and honest.  She diplomatically guided our leadership team through process implementation, strategic business transitions, ensured that cross-functional considerations were addressed and that all voices were represented in our decision making.  Cheri is an accomplished facilitator which made our team meetings valuable, connective, and conducive to innovative thinking accompanied by clear action and accountability. Without reservation, I can say that you will feel supported and your organization will be elevated by having her on your team.

Jane Pak

Chief Operations Officer at Livie & Luca

Cheri worked with Jane

From the moment I met Cheri, I fell absolutely in love with her. I nicknamed her unicorn because she is truly a mystical creature. She is one of the most versatile and agile human beings I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Cheri has the unique ability to stay connected to a vision as she shovels through the muck on the most challenging of days. She never falls out of her integrity and as such, she is able to bring her highest self to every conversation. This very gift makes her an incredible leader and supporter of leaders particularly in organizations that are struggling with change. Cheri never minces words and she speaks the truth clearly but with compassion and kindness. With Cheri you always know where you stand and you always know what success looks like. Her heart makes her deeply skilled at having honest conversations that lead to transformational results. Anyone who is lucky enough to work with Cheri benefits from all that she is and will walk away better versions of themselves as a result.

Kris Ziakas

Director of Technology

Cheri worked with Kris on Heartjuice.net

There comes a time in most everyone’s life where serendipity happens, a merging of human connection, a new beginning of thought, perception, and perspective. As I approach my 57th voyage around the sun, I can confidently say that this confluence has only happened to me but once. That one time, is with my friend Cheri Kalenian. She’s an indefinable force, a pure energy you only hear about in theory and the occasional Sci-Fi movie. Her process, organization and attention to detail are astounding. Cheri’s personality and motivational qualities are but a few of the rewards of knowing such a passionate person. Proximity to her energy alone has managed to grow an old dog’s ideas to an endless amount of possible futures. A unique individual like Cheri on any team will make it a success, guaranteed! 

Darren Custer

CEO Realty Lending Partners

Darren managed Cheri directly at Realty Lending Partners

There is something magical about the energy that Cheri brings to the work environment. Her presence alone is soothing and uplifting, yet she holds the space with confidence She is open and aware to everyone involved which adds comfort and poise to the guidance she provides. Cheri also has a quality of charter that is relentless. She is always striving to be a better version of herself. Doing this through diligent research, coaching, finding or developing new methodologies, drawing from another’s experience, and much more. This all speaks highly to the genius that is Cheri. Beyond this she is very people oriented and brilliant at building relationships. This people focus, along with her use of clear and precise communication and ability to be objective, make it easy for Cheri to guide her executives, employees, or customers through impasse. Cheri is highly skilled at “planting seeds”, giving you your own tools to utilize in finding your way to address the needs of the business. So, for her it is much more a lead from behind, not from out in front approach. Cheri will quickly gain your trust as you see how effective and efficient, she is with organization and her unwavering way to execute, follow through and close the gaps. This all being said I think it is easy to see just how valuable Cheri can be to an Organization. 

Lydia Bruno

Director of Operations at Livie & Luca

Lydia worked with Cheri

Cheri combines a keen analytical mind with heartfelt intuition. As Chief of Staff, she provided guidance to each leader, deeply listening to our needs and acting as a sounding board, fostering strong bonds between leaders by encouraging empathetic reframing of issues and situations. She helped us balance our sometimes competing agendas so we could align and achieve synergy. Cheri’s calm and engaged demeanor encourages trust and reflection. She truly cares about people and honored and celebrated our differences, recognizing strength in a diverse collective of talents and personalities. When engaging with Cheri, I felt seen and understood. And I continue to be inspired by her joyful embrace of life

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Sheila Leary

Sr. Business Systems Manager at Barracuda

Sheila worked with Cheri, in different groups

I have worked with Cheri at three different companies in multiple capacities. She has been my peer and my boss. She has a unique ability to bring different minded people together to collaborate and create new ways to solve even old, persistent problems; she does this with the utmost finesse. Every team member gets the benefit of her time, patience, wisdom and understanding, which makes a huge difference in how her teams interact. However, she’s not afraid to call on her inner bulldog when warranted. Both in business and personally, she is always seeking new ways to better herself and figure out how to leverage her new talents to benefit others. Her sense of joy is contagious. She understands that she can learn something from every individual she engages with and use those lessons for future good. Her keen sense of intuition allows her to see issues coming and solve them before matters escalate. One never knows where the next great idea is coming from and she keeps her eyes wide open so as to not miss a thing. It is rare to find someone who has such acute business acumen and so amazing with the soft skills as well. In this way she is sort of a unicorn!

Kerri Allardyce

Serial Entrepreneur & Creator

Kerri and Cheri were students together

Cheri is one of the most thoughtful & creative human beings I know! I think she has something special and unique. She sees the world differently, therefore she brings a different heartfelt perspective to everything she does. I think she’s thoughtful, mindful and considers the big picture when looking at things. She’s a joyful human being with an upbeat positive attitude, something I think this world needs more of even in the corporate environment! Whatever Cheri focuses on receives more love, light and an unexplainable energy! I highly recommend drawing her into any project! She raises the vibration of any job, group or environment she’s in; truly an amazing person.