Karen Pandy-Cherry

Background

About Karen Pandy-Cherry

Karen Pandy-Cherry, J.D. is the President and CEO of New Leaders Council (NLC), a national nonprofit organization committed to empowering a new kind of leader – inclusive, cross-sector changemakers passionate about driving social and political transformation in their communities. With over alumni across 56 chapters nationwide, NLC connects and uplifts leaders whose lived experiences are rooted in the communities they serve. Karen joined NLC as VP of Programs in 2021, where she oversaw the design and execution of the organization’s flagship programming, including the annual NLC Convention. In that role, she helped elevate thought leadership across the network, including interviewing civil rights icon Dr. Terrence Roberts of the Little Rock Nine. In addition to her work at NLC, Karen co-founded Chef Kulture with her husband, Chef Chad Cherry, a movement network supporting BIPOC professionals in the culinary industry. Chef Kulture focuses on building sustainable, community-driven businesses that improve the health, economic stability, and environment of BIPOC neighborhoods. This initiative builds on Karen’s lifelong commitment to equity, spanning nonprofit leadership and entrepreneurship. Karen holds a JD from St. Thomas University Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Group Communications from Trinity International University. She is a nationally recognized speaker, entrepreneur, small business and organizational development strategist, and leadership development coach. Her work is grounded in a deep passion for advancing equity, developing leaders, and fostering sustainable social impact. A founding member of NLC’s National Black Caucus and author of The Millennial Compact, Karen is also the co-author of the autobiographical cookbook Beauty and Her Chef. Her awards and accolades include being named 2017 Woman of Distinction, World Change Maker, and Trailblazing Women of History by the Broward County Commission, as well as receiving the 2019 Chris Kelly Innovation Award. In 2024, she was selected as a New Profit Civic Lab Fellow, one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Oklahoma by Women We Admire, and featured in Real Leaders Magazine’s “100 Visionary Leaders” segment. Karen lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and is the proud mother of three: Kytana (28), Kyrsten (21), and Zyon (12). This year, she launched the inaugural NLC Tulsa chapter and is honored to call Tulsa home, a city where the legacy of Greenwood (Black Wall Street) continues to guide her commitment to justice, economic power, and collective memory.