Cheryl Procter-Rogers

With more than four decades of experience in strategic communications, business consulting, and executive coaching, Cheryl Procter-Rogers is globally recognized for transforming careers, revitalizing organizations, and preparing leaders for their next bold move.

A Master Certified Coach (MCC) with the International Coaching Federation, Cheryl brings a deeply personal, values-driven approach to every engagement—rooted in the belief that even the most successful leaders need support structures, intentional planning, and community to thrive.

She is the creator of the Four C's Framework for Resilient Leadership—Cabinet, Career, Capabilities, and Community—which serves as the foundation for her coaching methodology and forthcoming book, Secrets for Soft Landings: How to Recover Quickly from Life's Falls and Failures (working title). Cheryl's coaching specialties include helping clients develop a personal cabinet of trusted advisors, navigate high-stakes career transitions, enhance emotional intelligence and executive presence, elevate personal branding, and build thriving personal and professional ecosystems.

Cheryl began her career at Golden State Mutual before founding A Step Ahead Consulting. She paused her practice at key points to lead major communications functions and transformations, including creating a new public relations department at Nielsen, leading communications strategy across 14 states for HBO, and building a new public relations and communications department at DePaul University. Most recently, she suspended her business to serve as an internal executive coach for a major global professional services firm.

A sought-after speaker, writer, and leadership strategist, Cheryl has contributed more than 100 articles to publications such as Forbes.com, Choice magazine for professional coaches, and PRSA's Strategies & Tactics. She has been featured on numerous podcasts and panels discussing leadership, resilience, and inclusive coaching, and has contributed to or been featured in more than 20 books focused on public relations, executive coaching, and leadership. Her insights have helped shape national conversations on subjects such as public relations, business strategy, personal branding, crisis communication, and the power of strategic networks.

Named one of Chicago's 20 top executive coaches, Cheryl is a past national president of the Public Relations Society of America and has served as vice chair and secretary/treasurer of the International Coaching Federation's Global Enterprise Board. She currently serves on the board of trustees for Bradley University, on the editorial board for Choice magazine, and on the national committee for the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.

Cheryl holds a B.S. from Bradley University, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and an M.A. from DePaul University. She is certified in group coaching, a certified metaverse expert, and trained in over 30 coaching tools and assessments, including a wide range of 360-degree feedback instruments that support leadership and team development.