Cherie Smith
Cherie Smith is a seasoned hospitality and sales professional whose career spans more than two decades across travel, restaurants, and recreation administration. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Recreation Administration, she began her journey with a bold and unconventional step—accepting a role to manage a recreation center on a military base in Korea. That early international experience shaped her perspective on adaptability, resilience, and the importance of embracing new opportunities. Over the years, Cherie built a strong foundation in sales and customer engagement, becoming known for her ability to connect with people, drive results, and bring energy and creativity to every role she held.
Throughout her career, Cherie remained deeply passionate about helping others discover their own path and purpose. Her belief that true success comes from aligning passion with profession led her to speak at Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and community organizations, where she encouraged individuals to build confidence and pursue careers that genuinely fit who they are. She has always maintained that performance and fulfillment go hand in hand, and that finding the right environment is key to long-term success. Her ability to inspire and mentor others became a defining aspect of her professional identity.
Although Cherie retired following the COVID-19 pandemic, she continues to stay actively engaged in her community. She participates in monthly women’s networking groups, where she connects individuals with valuable resources, coordinates speakers, and supports others in their professional journeys. She also remains involved through LinkedIn and volunteer efforts, reflecting her belief that purpose and contribution do not end with retirement. Cherie’s career and continued involvement are a testament to her commitment to community, lifelong learning, and helping others thrive.
• Business
• Recreation Administration
• Marketing
• Sales
• Eastern Kentucky University - Recreation Administration
• Community Groups
• Women's Networking Group
• LinkedIn Professional Network
• Volunteering
• Community donations and material support
• Women's group speaker coordination
• Connecting people to networking resources
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being courageous and trying new things, like when I said yes to running a recreation center on a military base in Korea. I've always believed in embracing challenges and being eager to learn. I think it's important to diversify your experience rather than limiting yourself to one narrow path. When you find your passion and do what you love, you look confident and happy, and that's when you truly perform at your best. I've also stayed active and involved throughout my life, whether through my marching band in college, my sales career, or now in retirement through community groups and women's networking. I believe that staying engaged and helping others is key to a fulfilling life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I can share is that you don't have to pick just one path and stick to it forever. You need to diversify your experience because you might think you want to do something, but then when you get into it, you realize it's not for you. I tell young people, even those in their 30s and 40s who think they have a career but aren't happy, that they need to look at themselves and find their passion. That's the key, because when you do that, you look confident, you're happy, and you have found the right job. You cannot perform unless you have the right passion. Obstacles will come, but you deal with them, get it done, and move on.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to find your passion, because that's what will make you confident and happy in your work. Don't feel like you have to stick to one narrow career path. Diversify your experience and be open to opportunities, even if they seem scary or unconventional. I said yes to running a recreation center in Korea, and that opened so many doors for me. When you're in the right position doing what you love, people notice your confidence and your performance. If you're not happy in your current role, don't be afraid to make a change and look for what truly excites you. You cannot perform unless you have the right passion, and when you find it, everything else falls into place.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Even in retirement, I see the opportunity to reach out to more women and help them with their social and group needs. I'm still very active in the community, attending monthly women's networking groups where we bring in speakers and help each other. I think it's important to stay involved and make connections, because I can meet somebody at the grocery store and tell them about opportunities or invite them to our sessions. The challenge is that many people are in the wrong positions and aren't happy, so there's a real need to help them find their passion and connect them with the right resources. Making a difference every day, even in small ways through community involvement, is what matters.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being open and honest, being kind and respectful to others, and having a passion for what you do in life are my core values. I believe in staying involved and helping others, even in retirement. It's important to me to be active in the community and support other women through networking and sharing resources. I also value resilience and determination. When I faced a health setback last year with surgery, I just dealt with it, got it done, and moved on. That's how I approach life - you face challenges head-on and keep going. Family is also very important to me, which is why my goal now is to downsize and move to be closer to my family in Kentucky.