Indiana Wesleyan University has chosen Cheryl Bachelder, a recognized corporate leader, author and communicator, as the 2018 inductee into the Society of World Changers. Bachelder will be formally inducted into the IWU Society of World Changers during a special convocation on March 21, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., in the Chapel Auditorium on the Marion campus. Tickets are not necessary.
At its core, the mission of Indiana Wesleyan University is to change the world for Jesus Christ by challenging and equipping its students to pour salt and shine light everywhere their lives take them. To provide a focal point for this effort, IWU established the Society of World Changers in 2003 to recognize individuals who are faithful Christians by example, use their professional platforms to impact their world for Christ and have risen to national prominence. Each year a World Changers Convocation is held on IWU’s Marion campus to induct a new member into the Society and celebrate his or her accomplishments.
Bachelder is a passionate restaurant industry executive and former CEO of Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. She is known for her strategic thinking, franchisee-focused approach, superior financial performance and the development of outstanding leaders and teams.
Bachelder joined Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen in November 2007, after serving as an active member of the Board for a year. She brought more than 35 years of experience in brand building, operations and public-company management at companies like Yum Brands, Domino’s Pizza, RJR Nabisco, The Gillette Company and The Procter & Gamble Company.
In September 2015, Bachelder was awarded The Norman Brinker Award from Nation’s Restaurant News. She has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, and was named by CNBC’s Jim Cramer as one of his “21 Bankable CEOs” for 2014. In 2012, she was recognized as “Leader of the Year” by the Women’s Foodservice Forum and received the Silver Plate Award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association.
Bachelder is also a woman of strong Christian faith. She describes herself as a “Dare to Serve” servant leader, evolving from two scriptures: Joshua 1:9 and Philippians 2:3. Her book, Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others, was published in 2015.
Bachelder holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and marketing from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. She has been married for over 35 years to Chris Bachelder and they have three grown daughters.
