Cheree Boteler, a native Nevadan and graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, is a visionary marketer, nonprofit leader, and community advocate. With a wealth of experience in digital and traditional marketing, public relations, event planning, business development, and community engagement, she brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to every endeavor. Her work is rooted in collaboration and strengthened by meaningful relationships — partnerships that enhance her efforts, resulting in meaningful impact and the lasting success of the communities and organizations she serves.
For 21 years, Cheree worked in the Business/Economic Development department at NV Energy, where she led the development and content strategy for NV Energy’s Economic Development media. She implemented Nevada’s first statewide GIS-based database of industrial and office buildings and land (Nevada Site Locator) and, in her final years, served as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Project Manager, overseeing the integration of drones into NV Energy’s operations.
Cheree went on to serve five and a half years as Chief Marketing Officer at STEP2, a Reno-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of addiction and violence in families. During her tenure, event revenue grew by more than 68% and general donations by more than 94%. It was also during her time at STEP2 that she created Reno Soup Week, an annual celebration of National Soup Month each January. The event invites the community to enjoy comforting bowls of soup at home and in local establishments, while raising funds to support STEP2 and, now, the Reno Rodeo Foundation.
In 2024, she accepted the position of Executive Director of the Reno Rodeo Foundation, where her first year was marked by measurable growth and organizational progress. Under her leadership, the Foundation engaged 464 donors — the highest in a decade — and secured the most new donors in 10 years. She oversaw the complete redesign of fundraising events, expanded flagship programs, and launched the Pathways to Care initiative to strengthen family support through Rodeo Wish. She also advanced the Foundation’s infrastructure by modernizing systems, streamlining operations, and guiding the development of its first 3-Year Strategic Plan — establishing a stronger, more transparent, and future-focused organization
Alongside her nonprofit leadership, Cheree provides fractional Chief Marketing Officer services and digital strategy support for businesses and organizations ready to grow. Each year, she carefully selects a limited number of clients to serve, offering tailored strategies to enhance marketing and business development efforts. Her current clients include Challapalli Cardiology, edible Reno-Tahoe, and Sierra Cardiac Imaging.
Cheree’s entrepreneurial spirit has also led her to establish several collaborative community brands:
- Opportunity Nevada (2015), created to promote Nevada businesses and brands.
- Hungry in Reno (2017), a collaborative food and drink brand connecting locals and visitors to the chefs, owners, and makers behind the region’s dining culture. Between 2021 and 2023, she expanded this concept with Hungry in Tahoe, Hungry in Sparks, Hungry in Carson, Hungry In_ (a travel brand), Hungry in the Central Coast, and Hungry in the Bay Area.
- Reno Food & Drink Week (2020, formerly Reno Restaurant Week), a 12-day annual celebration of the region’s culinary scene that continues to grow in visibility and impact.
Her collaborative ventures also include co-founding Nevada Hospitality Industry Partnerships (HIP) in 2020 to provide over 3,000 meals for hospitality workers during the pandemic, and co-founding Social in Reno in 2021 to host relaxed, off-the-clock gatherings in local venues.
Her contributions to the food and hospitality space have been widely recognized. She served as a judge for The James Beard Foundation Awards in 2022 and 2023 and, most recently, as an IACP Awards Judge in 2025, honoring excellence in culinary media and innovation. She has also authored several feature articles for Reno News & Review (2022–23).
Today, Cheree’s career continues to bridge nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurial innovation, and community engagement. Whether she is building ventures that empower businesses, leading programs that uplift children and families, or crafting platforms and events that showcase local culture, her focus remains the same: to ignite ideas, champion progress, and inspire brighter futures through ideas, action, and purpose.