photo of Cynthia Robinson, a white woman with short blonde hair wearing a red jacket and black and red scarf

Cynthia Robinson

Cynthia Robinson has more than 25 years of experience leading organizations, programs, and communications across nonprofit, government, academic, and philanthropic sectors in the U.S. and internationally.

Before joining FEEA and its subsidiary FCCS in September 2022, she served for 3.5 years as president of the Robertson Foundation for Government, directing operations, grantmaking, programs, partnerships, and communications to support public service leadership development and federal workforce enhancement.

Previously, Cynthia was at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for 13 years, where she directed the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships, a nationally recognized STEM public service program that places more than 275 fellows annually in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of U.S. federal government to support evidence-informed policymaking. She also served as senior policy advisor in the AAAS Center of Science, Policy and Society Programs, advising on the creation and operation of fellowship and professional development programs around the world. Under her leadership, STPF was recognized with a National Science Board Public Service Award for Science in Service to America and the Nation’s Citizens.

Before joining AAAS in 2004, Cynthia directed fellowships focusing on the environment and conservation, with the Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation, and the Leopold Leadership Program. She has also worked in the sustainability for education realm, healthcare, and community development, and served in the Peace Corps in both Thailand and The Gambia.

Cynthia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University, and holds a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy from Tufts University. She is a recipient of a UNEP Fellowship in International Environmental Management, and a Switzer Foundation Environmental Leadership Fellowship.

Cynthia also has held numerous volunteer leadership positions, including trustee and board chair of the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation; trustee and overseer with the Sea Education Association; chair of the Public Leadership group of the International Leadership Association; advisor to the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship Program; and chair of the Education and Outreach Working Group of the Green Plan Steering Committee for the town of Cheverly, MD.

A native New Englander from Maine, she now lives in Maryland with her tween and teen, and two friendly felines. As an avid gardener, Cynthia has come to embrace the longer growing season in the DMV area, although she still enjoys a good snow storm!