While she won’t be the loudest in the room, you’re likely to hear her coming thanks to one of her signature pairs of shoes. She’s known for her fun and spunky heels that are often heard clicking through the RE/MAX Professional office or Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors hallways. The brighter the colors and bolder the heel, the better.

“I’m five foot, so I try to get as much as I can from my shoes,” Cheryl laughed. 

Don’t let her preference for being a wallflower at the party fool you, Cheryl's work ethic is unmatched. She often says she’s successful in real estate in spite of herself because, on paper, her introverted nature places her in the lowest percentile of aptitude tests for sales. But to know Cheryl is to know how hard she works and how much she cares. She’s never fit in a box. 

“I’ve had people tell me over the years that they don’t want to work like I do,” she said. “But my goals are not their goals. They don’t want the same things I do. I’ve never thought I needed to be ashamed of working so hard.” 

She points to her husband, John Leatherwood, as her greatest supporter. “His attitude has always been that if you want something, go for it,” she said. “He challenges me, makes me laugh constantly, and life is full of surprises and excitement with him.”

When work is done, and it’s time to relax at the end of the day, her headphones go on and, with her two Yorkies in tow, she hits the sidewalk. “It’s the perfect way for me to relax and clear my thoughts,” she said. She also loves to dance, especially to hip-hop, both old and new, though her moves will never make it out of the comfort and privacy of her kitchen, she laughed. “If there is dance music playing in the background, I can’t sit still.”

As often as they can, she and John travel, usually choosing a beachy destination to soak up the sunshine. But most days, Cheryl is bouncing between offices, phone calls and client meetings. 

“I love to work,” she said. “In school, I wanted to make the best grades I could. And I still carry that drive. I want to do the best I can do.” 

Cheryl stands tall in her role as a Realtor and now in her position as a leader. In recent years she has embraced opportunities to serve in leadership positions in the industry, including as a Director for the Greater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors and the Louisiana Association of Realtors. 

Her journey is marked by her commitment to actively listen, absorb insights and wholeheartedly embrace challenges with the hard work necessary to solve them. “I’m honored and humbled to be a part of the Board of Directors,” she said. “Since serving in leadership, I’ve gained an even greater respect for the leaders who have come before us to develop the education and resources that are creating an impact.”

Now, it’s her turn. 

“I love helping people, and that has been the key to my career,” she said. “And that extends to other agents. I want them to know they can call and ask me anything.”

While some might shy away from the level of commitment Cheryl has to her role as a Realtor and industry leader, many others, especially her own children, are inspired by her example. 

Her daughter, Jana Didia, is a mortgage lender, her son-in-law, Obi, has his real estate license, and her son Brett Waguespack is a home inspector. Cheryl and John look forward to welcoming Brett’s fiancé, Jordyn, to the family when the two are married this summer. 

“I like to think I had something to do with them getting into the real estate industry,” she said, smiling. Witnessing her unwavering passion for the past two decades, it's easy to see why her children are drawn to the industry that holds a special place in their mother's heart.

Cheryl’s eyes are fixed on the future - for her family, her business and the industry. But especially the future generations she calls her own. “My greatest joy is in spending time with the three grands,” she said with a smile.