Cheryl Armstrong

Cheryl Armstrong joined the North Carolina Zoo Society in 1997 and has been its Executive Director since 2011. Before assuming the role of Executive Director, Cheryl served as the Society’s Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving and Director of Development, Major Gifts, and Human Resources. 

The North Carolina Zoo Society is a private nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides funding and engenders support for the North Carolina Zoo and its missions. Since its inception in 1968, the Society— through its members and donors—has raised more than $220 million in support of the Zoo.    

Prior to joining the Society, Cheryl served as Executive Director of the Randolph Community College Foundation. While working full-time, she achieved degrees in Psychology and Economics from the University of North Carolina – Greensboro and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Gardner Webb University. Because of her varied interests, she also obtained her real estate broker’s license and a single-engine pilot’s license.

Cheryl is a life member of the Society since 1998, a Professional Fellow Member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 2002, and helped to establish Sylvan Heights Bird Park as a nonprofit and served on its Board of Directors as Secretary for four years. She is a life member of the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Society.