Cynthia Chavez

Education: BA in Government from Pomona College; MA in Latin American Studies from Stanford University

Recent projects include: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Meyer Memorial Trust

Personal interests include: San Francisco Bay Trail walks with family and friends, yoga, and hula hooping

Cynthia Chavez is a Senior Strategist with Public Equity Group, and a nationally-respected thought leader, consultant, certified coach, and author. She specializes in customized strategic planning for mission-driven organizations, and coaching for emerging and seasoned social sector leaders. Cynthia draws on her success at spearheading national and place-based programs grounded in racial equity.   

Current/past clients include: Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement; The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Disability Rights Advocates; LeaderSpring Center; TSNE/MissionWorks; Two Feathers Native American Family Services; and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF).

Cynthia is Founder and former Executive Director of Oakland-based LeaderSpring Center which awards coveted fellowships to diverse community leaders. Outcomes of this place-based, peer learning program include racial equity, inclusion and other 21st century competencies. Under Cynthia’s 17-year tenure, LeaderSpring launched a consulting group that extended its reach statewide, and now garners national recognition for its results.

As a former member of the professional staff of WKKF (1990-1995), Cynthia conceptualized and spearheaded the launch of a national initiative that continues generating hundreds of millions of dollars in philanthropy by, among and for communities of color.  As legislative staff member to several Bay Area elected officials, she helped shape California statewide policies in K-12 education and affordable housing.

Cynthia’s current/past board and formal advisory roles include: Fund the People, The San Francisco Foundation, Leadership Learning Community, and the National Hispana Leadership Institute.

She earned a BA in Government from Pomona College, and an MA in Latin American Studies from Stanford University.  As a second-generation Mexican American, whose first home was public housing in East Los Angeles, Cynthia passionately dedicates her career to advancing creative, collaborative solutions for a just, equitable society.