Cynthia Bauerly Named Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

This week, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) announced that Cynthia Bauerly joins the staff as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, and will lead research and listening, policy and advocacy, and cross-sector convenings and partnerships.

For the last year, Cynthia has been the Women’s Foundation’s first Policy Executive in Residence, where she has leveraged policy initiatives as a driver of social change. In this new role, she will continue working collaboratively with community organizations to coordinate and build upon shared agendas to drive social and policy change for gender and racial justice.

“I am grateful and excited to join the Women’s Foundation, a national leader in creating transformative change for women and girls,” said Bauerly. “I learned growing up that everyone can, and should, have the opportunity contribute to the community, and that everyone should have a voice. There could not be a more critical time to listen to, and learn from, those most impacted by the decisions made across sectors – from boardrooms to committee rooms. When we do, we can create a future where women, girls, and their families can thrive.”

After leadership roles in law, management, and public policy in Washington D.C. and in Minnesota, Cynthia has been an organizational and DEI consultant and leadership coach, helping large and small teams evolve and grow their impact. She served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Revenue from 2015 to 2020. Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Development at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), where she led the department’s work of providing economic security for transitioning workers and workforce training and readiness.

Prior to returning home to Minnesota, she lived and worked in Washington, D.C., for over a decade. She was appointed as Commissioner and Chair of the United States Federal Election Commission from 2008-2013. She also served as Counsel and Legislative Director for Senator Chuck Schumer developing and implementing a broad policy agenda in Congress. She has also worked in private law practice in both Minnesota and Washington, D.C.

Cynthia is the Board Chair of Women Winning. Originally from Central Minnesota, she lives in Minneapolis with her husband and their dog, Kiko, who loves the state’s fields and forests as much as she does.