Cheri Colter
Denver
Summary
Strategic policy and advocacy leader with 20+ years driving community-centered change through policy analysis, coalition building, and stakeholder engagement. Ph.D. in public policy and political economy, skilled in translating research into actionable strategies for public health and housing stability. Expertise spans nonprofit, academic, consulting, and public sectors, emphasizing project management, cross-sector collaboration, and mission-driven leadership.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate
Root Policy Research
Denver
2023.01 - Current
- Lead development of HUD-required Consolidated Plans and Equity Plans for multiple jurisdictions, integrating quantitative analysis, community engagement, housing needs assessment, and equity-centered policy recommendations for allocation of federal funding.
- Conduct research and develop strategies for jurisdictions in Colorado and nationwide to address housing barriers, neighborhood opportunity, transit access, education, and health-related community conditions affecting low- and moderate-income households as required for federal and state grant funding.
- Created a HUD-approved national toolkit for grantees (city, county and state governments), providing guidance on best-practice research methods, equity analysis, and strategic planning to support compliance and strengthen local implementation.
- Conduct Community Needs Assessments analyzing public service gaps and developing strategies to support lower-income households to meet state requirements for accessing federal Community Services Block Grant funding.
- Lead policy research and analysis for state level contracts including a current Colorado Family Stability and Housing Study focused on housing solutions and legislative recommendations to prioritize housing and reduce homelessness risk among low-income families with children under three.
Postdoctoral Fellow and Interim Associate Director
Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Study of (in)Equality (IRISE), University of Denver
Denver
2018.01 - 2022.01
- Designed and implemented a statewide scan of health equity work across Colorado, building a public-facing web database to connect organizations, share resources, and strengthen collaboration across public health, nonprofit, and academic sectors.
- Partnered with the Metro Denver Partnership for Health, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment, The Colorado Trust, The Colorado Health Foundation and the Colorado Public Health Association to support information-sharing and coordinated action around health equity priorities.
- Helped guide institute strategy and operations through grant review, event planning, community outreach, and collaboration with leadership on mission alignment, sustainability, and strategic growth.
- Supervised and mentored four student employees, aligning responsibilities with professional development goals while strengthening team capacity and organizational effectiveness.
Policy Analyst and Campaign Manager, Food Access
CHILDREN AT RISK
Dallas
2015.01 - 2017.01
- Managed an advocacy campaign funded by the American Heart Association to support a city-backed healthy food retail effort in historically underserved Dallas neighborhoods.
- Built a network of community partners, including neighborhood associations, community gardens, and faith-based organizations, to create a coordinated voice for food access equity and healthier communities.
- Developed relationships with city council members and coordinated with state-level advocates to advance healthy food financing at the state level and related public policy strategies.
- Secured three years of grant funding through the American Heart Association's Voices for Healthy Kids program, exceeding the typical funding cycle and expanding campaign sustainability.
Assistant Primary School Director
Dallas International School
Dallas
2008.01 - 2013.01
- Implemented student leadership and service-learning initiative with 100+ student leaders, coordinating projects on environmental, school-community, and international humanitarian issues.
- Led schoolwide initiatives enhancing community voice and student engagement through cross-campus programming and experiential learning projects.
- Introduced and led first Girls on the Run program, promoting student wellness and leadership opportunities.
Education
Ph.D. - Public Policy and Political Economy
University of Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TXM.A. - Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration
University of Denver, Korbel School
Denver, COB.A. - French | Minor in Economics
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SDSkills
- Public Policy Strategy
- Policy Analysis & Advocacy
- Health Policy
- Public Health Equity
- Research Translation
- Project Management
- Coalition Building
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Strategic Partnerships
- Program Leadership
- Public Engagement
- Community Engagement
- Team Leadership
- Grant Writing
Affiliations
- Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management
- Omni Institute & Envision:You, State of the State Committee
- Metro Caring and Denver Rotary Club, Volunteer
- Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District, Guest Teacher
- City of Dallas Mayor's Poverty Task Force
- Dallas Independent School District School Health Advisory Committee
Timeline
Associate
Root Policy Research
2023.01 - Current
Postdoctoral Fellow and Interim Associate Director
Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Study of (in)Equality (IRISE), University of Denver
2018.01 - 2022.01
Policy Analyst and Campaign Manager, Food Access
CHILDREN AT RISK
2015.01 - 2017.01
Assistant Primary School Director
Dallas International School
2008.01 - 2013.01
Ph.D. - Public Policy and Political Economy
University of Texas at Dallas
M.A. - Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration
University of Denver, Korbel School
B.A. - French | Minor in Economics
University of South Dakota