Cherise and her husband Sandy first discovered Walnut Creek 25 years ago for their wedding ceremony at the Gardens at Heather Farm. They have felt a connection here ever since. After living in Seattle where Cherise earned her MPA and had their first child, they decided to move to Walnut Creek in 2007 to be closer to family. Both their children attended the city run Heather Farm and Civic Arts preschools.
Cherise thrives on bringing people together to get things done. As a young parent, she organized a co-op girl scout troop at Indian Valley Elementary School and led them on their challenge hike up Shell Ridge. After Cherise and Sandy bought their home in the Northgate neighborhood, Cherise enjoyed being a kindergarten room parent, science fair organizer, walk/bike to school lead, and PFC president at Walnut Acres Elementary. She also organized the school projects for Walnut Creek Community Service Day.
Meet Cherise
From 2015-17 she led a coalition to create safe routes for kids to walk and bike to school, culminating with the construction of flashing light beacons, new crosswalks, a bike lane, and sidewalk bumpouts near Walnut Acres and Foothill Middle School.
Recognizing an unmet need, in 2016 she co-launched the districtwide nonprofit Mt Diablo Education Foundation to provide a way for concerned citizens to donate towards the mission of a quality education for every child throughout the school district, regardless of zip code.
In 2018 Cherise co-managed the successful Measure J school bond campaign (over 70% yes vote!) and was elected to the Mt Diablo Unified School District Board. She led the Contra Costa County School Board Association as President from 2020-22, and was re-elected to Mt Diablo School District Board in 2022.
In 2024 Cherise wanted to apply her experience at a broader level to issues beyond education. She began working as a field representative for State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. Engaging with various cities and towns in AD 16 piqued her interest in local planning, and in 2025 she was appointed to the City of Walnut Creek Planning Commission.
Cherise holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Washington. Cherise and her husband Sandy live in Walnut Creek with their younger daughter Robyn and their dog Tiger Lily. (Their eldest Kai now attends Georgetown University.) As Robyn completes her senior year at Northgate High School this year, Cherise is a parent lead for the Rossmoor Big Band, organizer of the Yoshi’s performance of the Northgate Jazz bands, and girl scout leader of Troop 33570 that formed in Kindergarten and will culminate in high school graduation this year.
Read more about Cherise on her LinkedIn.
