Cheri Beda

Cheri Beda joined the National Willa Cather Center in 2026 as Development Manager. She works to build meaningful relationships with donors, members, foundations, and community partners through fundraising, grant writing, donor stewardship, and development communications. She is passionate about connecting people with causes they care about and believes that stories have the power to inspire generosity, preserve history, and strengthen communities.

Before joining the Center, Cheri spent more than a decade in educational philanthropy and nonprofit leadership, where she developed fundraising initiatives, led donor engagement and stewardship programs, and used data to support strategic decision-making. She enjoys building authentic relationships and helping organizations grow their impact through thoughtful, mission-driven philanthropy.

Cheri holds a Doctor of Education, a Master of Science in Data Science, and a Master of Science in Prevention Science, as well as a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Her doctoral research explored the perseverance of women pursuing master's and doctoral degrees while balancing full-time careers and raising children, reflecting her longstanding interest in education, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Outside of work, Cheri enjoys spending time with her husband, their three children, and their miniature schnauzers, Chewbacca and Shine. She also loves hiking, exploring national parks, reading, and discovering the stories that connect people to places and communities.