Hey! I’m Cherrie and I am a Senior Research Fellow/Consultant at Working IDEAL and a Doctoral Candidate in Sociology at Harvard University. With a background in sociological and economic analyses, I specialize in understanding racial and gender disparities in the labor market, housing outcomes, and extended-family wealth. My dissertation research on the impact of extended-family wealth on housing outcomes has been recognized with multiple grants and awards, including the Best Paper on Housing Prize from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
In addition to my academic work, I am a key member of the Equity Analytics team at Working IDEAL, where I lead market analyses and conduct statistical assessments on compensation, promotion, retention, and racial and gender equity for clients. I have worked extensively with non-profits to develop equitable pay policies, benchmark roles, and perform comprehensive compensation reviews, including leading focus groups and facilitating data-driven equity assessments.
In my prior role as a Research Associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, I conducted policy research on labor market inequalities, including union wage benefits, paid sick leave, and the impact of autonomous vehicles on employment. I have authored and co-authored numerous reports cited by national media outlets, and my work continues to influence public discourse on these critical topics. My research and policy work have been featured in outlets such as FiveThirtyEight, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic.
I’m originally from South Florida and currently live in Chicago, IL.
I have a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Policy Analysis from American University. I also have a BA in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania with a concentration in Structures of Opportunity and Inequality.