Cheryl DeMars joined The Alliance in 1992, assuming several roles before becoming CEO in December 2006. Cheryl works with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team to establish the strategic direction of the cooperative. Cheryl participates in a number of national and regional initiatives that align with The Alliance’s mission of controlling costs, improving quality and engaging individuals in their health. She serves on the boards of the Wisconsin Health Information Organization (WHIO) and the Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality. She previously served on the Board of Governors and as Chair for the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions. She has testified before the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate HELP Committee regarding the problem of high health care prices and the strategies employers are using to control costs. Prior to joining The Alliance, Cheryl was a program manager at Meriter Hospital in Madison. She earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.