Management Team & Values
Cynthia James is a Veteran who has served her Country and the San Diego Community for over 25 years. She has a background in corporate, government, and non-profit management.Passionate about working in an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment, she has led many Community driven initiatives. Drawing from her extensive experience as a leader, she quickly organized and led the COVID-19 Community Outreach and Engagement initiative that reached thousands in San Diego County to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, with a focus on African- Americans/Black and underserved populations. On-boarded and deployed Community Health Workers to mobilize and conduct over 75,000 engagements during the height of the pandemic. She continues to lead the organization in implementing health equity initiatives for underserved and underrepresented community members through advocacy, engagement and education.
As a District Manager with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, she was responsible for managing a $25M budget annually with oversight for San Diego County, Imperial County, Las Vegas and Palm Springs. Responsibilities as District manager included talent acquisition management of Healthcare Representatives and strategic development of each territory. As a director of operation for the Steer Division of Pfizer, she collaborated with physicians and medical staff to provide educational resources and disease management for cardiovascular, respiratory, and infectious diseases.
Cynthia was a Program Manager with Integrated Systems Analysts and managed the Navy’s Pacific Fleet computer systems integration at all sites from San Diego, Hawaii, the Philippines and Japan, following active duty military service. As a U.S. Army Communications Officer, Executive Officer and Commander she was responsible for leadership of military operations at several duty stations while active duty and as a Reserve Officer.
Cynthia’s leadership and engagement continued after military service with community driven participation to include: San Diego Delta Foundation, Inc. – President, and Chair of the Leadership Program that has mentored hundreds of African American young ladies and provided funding that enabled them to realize their dreams of a college education; La Jolla Playhouse – Chair, Playhouse Leadership Council; Neighborhood House Association, Adult Day Health Care Center, Board Chair; San Diego Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Past President; UNCF San Diego Steering Committee. Past Board of the Directors: San Diego Memoir Writers Association; Neighborhood House Association; Urban League of San Diego County and Jackie Robinson Family YMCA.
EDUCATION
Executive Management Certification, Center for Creative Leadership, San Diego, CA
M.B.A., Management, Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA
B.S., Computer Technology, Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL