Cheryl H. Smith, CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, received the Kathy O. Maul Leadership Award from UCP National as its top honor for UCP affiliate executives. The annual award was presented April 8, 2024 at the UCP Annual Conference in Orlando in memory of the late UCP of Suffolk Executive Director Kathy O. Maul, whose leadership and commitment to serving people with disabilities and their families left a lasting legacy.

Mrs. Smith received the award in recognition of her responsiveness to the needs people with disabilities and their families over her 37-year career and her outstanding leadership at the local, state, and national levels on behalf of UCP and those with differing abilities. As noted by UCP National CEO Armando Contreras, Cheryl’s “outstanding leadership and engagement on behalf of UCP of Huntsville, UCP South Regional Affiliate Council, and UCP National have been exceptional. Taking UCP’s mission to greater levels of trust, accountability, and productivity in service of the disability community deserves our highest praise and recognition. Thank you for leading passionately and professionally and being an integral part of the United Cerebral Palsy family!”