““Cynthia Setel possesses an impactful combination of strategic thinking, financial savvy, sophisticated leadership, all of which serve her very well in helping organizations evolve and become more impactful. Couple that with contagious enthusiasm, a true love of public service and a keen appreciation of the arts and social agencies; Cynthia is an engaged member of our community who knows how to champion mission, vision and values.””
— Tom Mara, Executive Director, SIFF
“Cynthia is an incredible change manager. Cynthia and I joined the finance division of the Department of Public Health Seattle-King County around the same time. When we started, the division had been operating with unwritten and unclear processes and procedures, antiquated technology, and staff who were accustomed to working in silos. In addition, the agency was facing a significant budget crisis. She reorganized staff and initiated quality improvement practices to improve operations and led the Department’s response to the fiscal crisis at the same time a new financial system was being implemented. By the time she left, she had transitioned the division to a cohesive, efficient, and customer service-oriented unit.”
— Jan Capps, Community Resource Program Manager, Public Health, Seattle & King County
“Cindy elegantly combines her inspirational leadership with pragmatic and comprehensive business skills to bring out the best in her staff. She provides clear direction, respect, and uses information well to make long-term strategic as well as tactical decisions. She approaches her work with integrity, passion, and a strong sense for value and organizational success.”
— Steve Fields, Redmond City Council
“I started working with Cynthia in 2016 as she implemented a change management team at Seattle Housing Authority. In a short period of time, she has been able to make tremendous progress with not only her leadership team but also the front-line staff who embrace and implement the lean process improvement management system. Her leadership and willingness to push for top-notch customer service, efficiency, and staff engagement has pushed not only her department but the entire agency towards being a lean focused housing authority. I enjoy working with Cynthia and find her to be truly collaborative and open to different ideas and innovation.”
— Josh Crites, Assistant Director, Washington County Housing Services
“Cindy has that rare and cherished quality in a manager of knowing when to support her team and also knowing when they have things under control so she can stand back and let them execute. Her support of team members is amazing, encouraging professional growth and offering candid feedback on where such investment might yield the best returns. As CFO, I saw her provide strategic advice about the long-term funding needs of the organization and advocate tirelessly in support of those funding needs with a broad array of stakeholders.”
— Eben Sutton, Accounting Administrator, King County
“I worked with Cindy at Public Health while I was CAO. We had had a revolving door of CFO’s and she stepped in to help stabilize our budget and financial operations. She withstood a roller-coaster of budget issues in our environment and assembled a talented team to help us manage multiple challenges. Her leadership and skills in navigating through governmental turbulence were very helpful indeed.”
— Ben Leifer, HR Manager, 5th Avenue Theater
“Cynthia is above all an engaging and creative leader. I first met Cynthia when she came to Seattle Housing Authority as the Director of Rental Assistance Programs. It was a challenging position in a challenging department, but she brought a new vision, was ready to make hard decisions, and was able to bring along significant change to the culture in a relatively short period of time. I later had the opportunity to work for Cynthia as the department Program Administrator and experienced first hand what I had previously seen from afar. She had built an excellent team, knew how to set the agenda and tone, and let her people do their thing, providing support when necessary. Work was meaningful and I knew we were making change for the better. She set the department on a positive path that it is still benefitting from today.”
“Cynthia is a leader who creates opportunities not for herself but for the people she works with. As my manager with my LEAN work, she had always ensured that I remain focused with the goal as she provides me with all the support and encouragement that I need. She promotes a learning environment where mistakes are ok and uses it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. If the staff struggles with work and below expectations - she takes the burden for the leadership to provide resources and support. Her leadership lens is superb so that I come to her for wider and better perspective. If I could have a lifetime boss, She would be an easy choice. I like her candid and personal human approach on management without compromising organizational values and vision.”
— Job Grospe Pangilinan, Business Process Engineer, Providence Health Systems
“Cindy is a natural leader. A joy to work with, she is packed with the enthusiasm and integrity that inspires hard work. She is one of those people who remind you every day why you do the work you do and what a privilege it is to be of service and make a difference.”
