Cheryl Watkins-Moore

Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore is a multifaceted business leader, entrepreneur, and executive with a diverse background spanning medicine, business, and nonprofit sectors. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rare Obsidian Inc., a company founded in 2020 and based in Saint Louis, Missouri.4

Professional Background

Dr. Watkins-Moore's career trajectory is marked by significant achievements across various industries:

Medical and Business Education: She is a physician by training and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.1

Corporate Leadership: Her corporate experience includes leading and growing a $100 million division of Merck as a Vice President/General Manager.1

Entrepreneurship and Innovation:

She has been involved in successful startups, including being part of a leadership team that grew a Swedish startup from $60,000 to $60 million in five years.1
Dr. Watkins-Moore served as an entrepreneur-in-residence and mentor at BioSTL, where she led efforts to encourage women and minorities to develop STEM-focused businesses.1

Nonprofit Leadership: Currently, she serves as the President and CEO of YWCA Metro St. Louis, a position she has held since 2021.3 5

Achievements and Recognition

Dr. Watkins-Moore's contributions have been widely recognized:

Named one of St. Louis' Most Influential Business Women by the St. Louis Business Journal.1
Included in St. Louis Magazine's list of 100 People Shaping St. Louis and Women Who Make St. Louis Great.1
Recipient of the St. Louis Regional Chamber Arcus Award and LaunchCode's Inaugural Moonshot Award.1
Received the Colonel Clifton W. Gates Award for valuable contributions as a Community Champion.1

Current Ventures

In addition to her role at YWCA Metro St. Louis, Dr. Watkins-Moore continues to be involved in entrepreneurial endeavors:

Founder and CEO of Rare Obsidian Inc.3 4
Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Accelerated Rehabilitation Technologies, LLC, a technology development company.2

Dr. Cheryl Watkins-Moore's diverse experience and leadership roles demonstrate her expertise in strategy, market positioning, and organizational growth across multiple sectors.