Tedra Cheatham, CEcD

Director of Business Partnership Development
Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Atlanta, GA

Tedra Cheatham is Director of Business Partnership Development for the 6th largest business school in the nation, the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. Tedra works to identify business challenges and targeted solutions that are mutually beneficial for the business community and the student talent pipeline. Prior to joining the Robinson College of Business, she was Executive Director for The Clean Air Campaign, leading efforts nationally for cleaner air, less traffic and more economic vibrancy through its K-12 digital education program and consulting with private industry. Previously Tedra served as chief operating officer and vice president of economic development for the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce near Atlanta, Georgia. Her contributions to the success of North Fulton’s development helped foster numerous transportation enhancements and a thriving business community that is home to several Fortune 500 companies.

Tedra has also held leadership positions overseeing economic development for the north central Texas cities of Bedford and Euless. A Louisiana native, she began her career in government affairs and later worked in the public sector as an analyst for the Louisiana State Senate. Tedra was named to the White House’s deployment team to the Gulf Coast in 2010 to address economic conditions following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and served on the Post-Katrina Task Force in New Orleans.

In 2008, Tedra was recognized for her leadership in North Fulton by the American Women’s Business Association. An active member of the community, Tedra helped establish The Drake House, a residential assessment center for homeless women and their children. She is a certified economic developer (CEcD) and served eight years as a member of the Board of Directors for the International Economic Development Council. She is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Atlanta. Tedra led a Metro Atlanta-wide initiative through the Atlanta Regional commission to plan for future housing needs and revitalized downtown centers. Tedra earned her Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University and her Master of Public Administration from the University of New Orleans.