Cheryl McCormick is a nonprofit executive and field ecologist. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, a Master’s Degree in Geography (Remote Sensing/GIS) from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Ecology (Plant Sciences) from the University of Georgia. After completing her graduate research, she began working as a Research Scientist at the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants at the University of Florida, specializing in seed dispersal models, metapopulation studies of orthodox and
recalcitrant seeds, and field mapping of invasive wetland plant species in South
Florida.
Guided by a passion for linking field research with applied land management and citizen science, Dr. McCormick left academia to serve as Director of Conservation for the Santa Lucia Conservancy, where she partnered with private land owners, government agencies, and NGOs to monitor and manage invasive plants and pathogens and protect endangered flora and fauna in California’s central coast.
Specializing in organizational turnarounds, nonprofit law, and major gift fundraising,
Dr. McCormick has served as Executive Director for the American Cetacean Society,
YWCA Monterey County, and Lindsay Wildlife Museum. She was also Founder and
Chief Strategist of Ascend Nonprofit Consulting and Executive Coaching and received
an appointment as Visiting Researcher at the Center for Geospatial Research at the
University of Georgia in October 2018.
Dr. McCormick is an active member of the International Coach Federation, Association
of Fundraising Professionals, and Grant Professionals Association. She has served as
a volunteer with organizations whose mission include preserving the diversity of life on
earth, including the Blue Iguana Recovery Program of Grand Cayman; Sea Otter
Research and Conservation program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium; Lindsay Wildlife
Museum’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Peruvian Marine Conservation Group at BlueVoice.org. She partners with Matsés Tribe members of the Peruvian Amazon and their advocates to secure equitable compensation for harvesting biologically active compounds from the Hylid frog, Phyllomedusa bicolor.
Dr. McCormick has authored numerous editorials, news articles, Florida statewide
invasive species management plans, peer-reviewed research articles, and a book on
invasive plant species in Florida’s natural areas. For a list of publications and to learn
more about Dr. McCormick’s professional accomplishments, please visit her Linkedin
profile at www.linkedin.com/in/cherylmccormick.
