“I've had the pleasure of working with Cherena at Occidental College and I was able to see first-hand the incredible impact she had on students and early career professionals as they launched into their careers.
Cherena had many years of experience and a high-level of expertise in career coaching, recruitment, and industry knowledge and yet she was able to make her vast knowledge accessible and relevant to students and early career professionals. She understood how to listen, connect, and guide students through their career development. I highly recommend her services.”
Brenda Solorio
Director of Community Engagement
“Cherena was instrumental in helping me land my first job out of college. She leveraged her network by introducing me to people she knew at the companies to which I was applying. She has great industry knowledge, understands companies’ recruitment timelines, and knows how to tailor resumes and cover letters to highlight the skills employers look for.
When it came time to decide between offers, she talked through the pros and cons with me and helped me identify the best fit. She even helped me negotiate a higher salary and a better start date. Because of her expertise and commitment to my success, I was able to navigate the job search process much more confidently.”
Andy Mezquita
Associate Wealth Manager
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Cherena during our tenure at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs for 6 years. In her role as Director of Career Development Services and Mid-Career Programs, Cherena brought a rich set of skills in executive career counseling, coaching, and leadership development to the position.
Her vast experience in many industries and one-on-one consultation with advanced degree students led to placements in high level positions within government, NGOs, non-profit, and private organizations. Princeton graduate students and alumni came to rely on Cherena’s expertise and advice in all facets of career planning.
Cherena is a dynamic leader who provides strategic vision and leadership in cultivating key partnerships with high level organizations and donors. In my current position as Director of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania I often consult and collaborate with Cherena on recruitment opportunities and I look forward to continuing to work with her on future endeavors.”
Melissa A. Lee, MBA, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean for Admissions
“Cherena is a visionary leader who pushes against complacency in the pursuit of progress. As a former colleague and supervisor, she not only pushed me to be detailed and organized in my daily job pursuits but also took the time to understand my career strengths, motivators, and values.
Through countless conversations, she helped me unlock what I want out of a career and was instrumental in catapulting me into my current role as a strategy advisor for a highly regarded non-profit based in Los Angeles.”
Roy Shioda
Senior Advisor
“Cherena and I worked together at Drake Beam Morin (DBM was acquired by LHH) for several years during the height of the 2007/2008 financial crisis. As a Career Consultant for DBM, Cherena met one-on-one with hundreds of clients who were transitioning to new roles as a result of layoffs. She also led numerous career development workshops covering a variety of topics.
Cherena's expertise in executive search and global talent acquisition allowed her to provide career coaching and guidance to experienced professionals and corporate executives from a broad range of industries and functional areas. Cherena quickly gained the trust of clients and helped many clients successfully land new opportunities or gain the confidence to pursue a completely different career path.
By the time she left DBM, Cherena was rated the top career consultant for the Northeast region based on client surveys and feedback. I highly recommend Cherena to any professional seeking a career change or advancement.”
Amy Raditz
Former Vice President Lead Consultant, ICEO Advisor
“When I worked with Cherena in the Career Center at Occidental College I saw first-hand how deeply Cherena connects with her students. She works tirelessly to ensure each client develops their focus and sense of purpose. By getting to know them on a personal level, Cherena is able to understand a person’s motivation and the unique qualities that allow them to stand out in a saturated job market.
Cherena’s dedication to placing students in jobs or graduate programs, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is steadfast. She uses all of the resources available to her, including her 20+ years of industry knowledge and connections, to benefit everyone she works with.”
Hanna Crowley
Marketing Manager
“Cherena is an incredible mentor and advisor to students. As a graduate student at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, I witnessed and benefited from her re-tooling and transforming the advising of students to meet an ever-evolving landscape of finding a job.
She brought to Princeton her tremendous experience in the private sector as a talent professional to provide crucial advice to provide us a competitive edge in our job searches. She provided me individualized advising that reflected my interest areas in public service and provided career advice for professional development. I continue to work with Cherena today – now as an employer who looks to Cherena’s leadership at Occidental to ensure that our organization receives talented students.”
Seyron Foo
Senior Program Officer
“Having worked with Cherena as a colleague and a client for over 20 years, I experienced first-hand her unwavering passion for coaching and mentoring others and guiding them towards the path that was right for them. Cherena’s approach is practical and straightforward while being tailored to the individual. Beyond her varied experience and skillset, working with Cherena is always a pleasure!”
Diane Lewis
Executive Coach