Cheryl Krueger ('74)

Cheryl Krueger is the president and CEO of Cheryl&Co. in Westerville, Ohio. In 1981, equipped with an old-fashioned cookie recipe passed down from her grandmother, a degree in business and home economics, and high-profile business experience, Ms. Krueger started Cheryl's Cookies, a single-store cookie company that has evolved into the multimillion dollar corporation it is today. 

Cheryl&Co. was named one of the country's "Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses" for four consecutive years. In 1999 Ms. Krueger was selected as "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Working Women magazine. In March of 2005, online gift retailer 1-800-Flowers.com agreed to buy all the stock of Cheryl &Co. for about $40 million in cash.

Ms. Krueger started her business career as a buyer with Burdines department store in Miami, Florida.  She then worked as a merchandise manager for The Limited, 1976-1981. After starting Cheryl's Cookies in Columbus, in 1981, Ms. Krueger held a job as vice president of sales for Chaus Sportswear, from 1981-1984 in New York City, to help finance her cookie business. She went full-time with Cheryl's Cookies in 1985.

The company's name changed to Cheryl&Co. in 1988 after it had expanded beyond simply selling cookies. Ms. Krueger serves on the Board of Directors for Bob Evans Farms and has served on the Federal Reserve Board District 4-Class B, along with the Board of Directors of Columbus Academy.

She is known for her work in support of cancer research and for providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to work in her company. Ms. Krueger and her company are featured in U.S. Congressman John Kasich's book, Courage is Contagious, which features people who make a difference in their community.

Published: 2008