Cheryl Dondero joined Gaudenzia in 2019. As the Director of Government Affairs, she is responsible for creating and maintaining effective, collaborative relationships with Gaudenzia’s regulatory agencies, provider associations, funders, and referral sources. As part of her responsibilities, Cheryl develops Gaudenzia’s legislative and policy agendas while coordinating the organization’s lobbying activities.
Ms. Dondero’s experience includes a 37-year career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, culminating as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). She then became the Director of Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services, which is the Single County Authority (SCA) for drug and alcohol prevention, intervention, and treatment services in the county. Immediately prior to joining Gaudenzia, she was the Chief Executive Officer for the federally funded National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL). She received her Master of Human Services from Lincoln University in 2002.
Ms. Dondero has been vocal about Gaudenzia’s significant role in her own recovery journey from substance use disorder and she continues to advocate for the recovery community in all aspects of her life. In her free time, she is an instructor of both dance and Yoga of 12-Step Recovery(Y12SR). She enjoys spending time with her husband and boasting proudly of their two adult sons.
Why I Work at Gaudenzia:
Gaudenzia has been a big part of my life story, in both my personal recovery journey and my professional career. Gaudenzia was there for me and set me on a path that made all the blessings in my life possible. Through my work, I can help make sure Gaudenzia is there for others to have the same experience.
