Hey There! I'm Cynthia.
I am known for my bold work and high expectations. That’s how I live my life.
When someone shares their story, I break it into moving pieces, re-sort, and reimaging a new path. No problem is too big. But the more complex, the more deliberate my work. Always moving forward.
I am driven to do hard things, at the edge of imagination.
International Affairs
I served two years in the Peace Corps 1997-1999 in a dusty town, El Viejo, Nicaragua. I worked with some of the world's poorest women to make them independent businesswomen with $100 microloans. These were strong, war-torn women looking for financial independence. I helped them overcome fears and judgment to become storefront merchants, market women, and bookkeepers.
While getting my Masters at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, two planes struck the Twin Towers. I worked in the U.S. Treasury 2002-2006 representative to Latin America, alongside the intelligence community, to work with foreign partners on Anti-Terrorism and Financial Crimes policies. I honed my ability to work within different power dynamics, understand deeply what motivates decisions, and work with foreign adversaries.
All About Me:
Leadership & Women
While a mom of two young boys, I worked my way up the Talent chain and created WAGER 2017 - 2018, a company focused on facilitating challenging conversations in the workplace. It was a culmination of learning how to have hard conversations, and the power one gained by honesty. I showed companies you could discuss wage disparity, equity, and upward mobility and still win.
I'm also the founder of a unique networking group called the Cheeky Monkey Club 2018 - Present, designed specifically for women who hate traditional networking. I created the Cheeky Monkey Club as a more approachable and engaging space for women to connect without the usual pressures associated with networking events.
As an alumna of Girls Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to empowering and educating young women, I’ve always been deeply connected to its mission. Growing up, I benefitted from the very programs that continue to inspire girls today. Currently, I serve as co-chair of the "Her Future, Our Future" campaign for Girls Inc. of the Valley, working to secure a new, larger home where girls can gather, learn, and grow. This role allows me to give back to an organization that shaped my own journey, helping to create safe spaces where girls can thrive and feel empowered to reach their full potential.
And for fun, I hike very big mountains.
