Kayla Cherry
Kayla Cherry is an enterprise business intelligence and marketing analytics leader with more than a decade of experience transforming complex data into clear, actionable direction for business leaders. Currently a Senior Lead, Business Intelligence Analyst at Bounteous, Kayla manages a team of analysts and partners closely with marketing stakeholders to translate reporting into long-term program recommendations. Her work is grounded in a people-first analytics philosophy—using data to influence strategy without “worshipping numbers,” and ensuring insights are communicated in ways that empower decision-making and align teams.
Kayla’s career began after earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education, Information, and Technology from the University of Arkansas. She started in marketing and public relations for a horse show event planning company before pivoting into analytics in 2016, where she found her passion for combining technical rigor with business storytelling. Her path includes roles in programmatic media analytics, digital marketing analytics, and marketing-facing advanced analytics at organizations such as JB Hunt, before joining Bounteous, where she has continued to deepen her leadership and impact.
Throughout her career, Kayla credits her success to mentorship from other women in the field who helped her develop both technical expertise and executive presentation skills. She is known for advocating bold, data-backed recommendations and encouraging others—especially women in technical spaces—to speak their truth and ask challenging questions. Recognized as an Influential Woman for 2026 representing Bentonville, Arkansas, Kayla leads with integrity, authenticity, and genuineness, believing that the most powerful analytics work happens when data serves people, not the other way around.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification
• Introduction to Prompt Engineering for Generative AI
• Generative AI for Marketing Professional Certificate by the American Marketing Association
• Google Analytics for Power Users
• Google Ads Search Certified
• Centro Certified: Basis Advanced Strategies
• Using Tableau to Discover Powerful Business Insights
• University of Arkansas- B.A.Sc.
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in the women who mentored me—leaders who modeled both technical excellence and the confidence to influence decisions at the highest levels.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to trust my expertise, use my voice, and stand confidently in rooms where decisions are made.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this space to speak their truth and stand firmly in the knowledge they’ve earned. Advocate for data-backed recommendations, even when it’s uncomfortable, and ask the questions others hesitate to ask. And above all, stay authentic. You don’t have to adopt someone else’s leadership style to succeed—your voice, perspective, and lived experience are powerful enough on their own.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
A key challenge (and opportunity) in my field is shifting the perception of data professionals from number pullers to strategic partners. Too often, analytics teams are viewed as “order-takers” rather than thought partners. The real impact happens when we move beyond reporting and actively shape the questions being asked, the strategy, and the decisions being made.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, authenticity, and genuineness guide both my work and personal life. I believe strong leadership starts with trust and transparency. Outside of work, I recharge by spending time outdoors, golfing, and kayaking with my husband and friends. I am intentionally building a full life beyond my career—especially giving my two dogs, Habanero and Chili, the adventurous life they deserve. Staying grounded helps me lead with clarity and purpose.