Volunteer Spotlight on Cheryl Hart Smith: Transformative Leader in Disability Services

For more than 38 years, Cheryl Hart Smith has been a cornerstone of disability services leadership in Alabama, serving as chief executive officer of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley. What began as a part-time therapy initiative has evolved under her guidance into a full-spectrum therapeutic, educational, and family support center for individuals with developmental, acquired, and aging disabilities.

Her leadership has touched thousands of lives, making UCP of Huntsville a vital resource for the region and a model for similar organizations across the country.

Expanding Impact Through State and National Leadership

Cheryl Hart Smith CEO of UCP of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley

Mrs. Smith’s dedication goes beyond her work in Huntsville. She has been appointed four times by Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama Lifespan Respite Coalition, where she helps develop crucial supports for family caregivers.

She also holds several other key roles, including:

Treasurer, Disability Leadership Coalition of Alabama
Co-chair, ARCH Respite Conference Planning Committee
Curriculum Co-chair, Alabama Early Intervention & Preschool Conference
Committee Member, UCP National Conference Planning Committee

In 2024, Cheryl was elected to the UCP National Board of Trustees, reinforcing her influence and commitment to advancing disability services nationwide.

Recognition and Awards

In 2024, Cheryl received the Kathy O. Maul Leadership Award at the UCP National Conference in Orlando. This prestigious honor is awarded to an affiliate executive who exemplifies exceptional leadership and dedication to the disability community — hallmarks of Cheryl’s career.

Education and Community Involvement

Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration–Finance from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She and her husband, Circuit Judge James P. Smith, reside in Madison, Alabama, where they are active members of the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville and the Delta Zeta Huntsville Alumnae Chapter.

Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys collegiate football, hiking, and spending time with their daughter, Lauren, and their beloved Golden Retriever, Violet.

A Lasting Legacy of Advocacy and Inclusion

Cheryl Hart Smith’s work has not only transformed the lives of those served by UCP Huntsville, but also influenced policy, caregiver support, and education initiatives throughout Alabama and the U.S. Her unwavering focus on inclusion, empowerment, and care ensures that individuals with disabilities have every opportunity to thrive.

As a UCP Board of Trustees member, Cheryl continues to shape the future of disability services leadership in Alabama and beyond — a testament to her vision, compassion, and extraordinary impact.

Thank you, Cheryl, for your service and for being a voice of hope, strategy, and inclusion for the disability community.