Cynthia joined Carpe Diem West in July 2012 from the Environmental Defense Fund where she was the California Water Legislative Director responsible for EDF’s water agenda in California. A public interest attorney and water policy expert for 20 years, Cynthia served as a chief negotiator for the historic 2009 Bay Delta Water Reform Act, and was the lead in the State Water Resources Control Board’s 2010 decision in establishing public trust flow criteria for the San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary. Previously Cynthia was the legal Director for Save San Francisco Bay Association, and a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley’s Center for Sustainable Resource Development. She was an associate at the law firm Heller, Ehrman LLP, and began her career as an assistant regional council for EPA Region 9. Cynthia is also an elected member of the Marin Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors, and immediate past president, currently serving in her third term. She serves on a number of boards and committees for organizations including the Water Education Foundation, the California Water Policy Conference, and Mothers of Martin Advocating Sustainability. She is a recipient of The Water Award among other honors. Cynthia is a graduate of Pomona College and received her JD and Environmental Law Certificate from the University of Oregon School of Law.
