Cindy Chavez

Cindy Chavez "is the Executive Director of Working Partnerships USA. Chavez’ work as an elected official and community and labor leader in San Jose has been marked by her ability to build new collaborations to create innovative policy.

"She served for eight years as a member of the San José City Council, the last two as Vice Mayor. As a full time elected representative, she maintained a reputation as an advocate for improving the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout San Jose. She was a leader in developing cutting-edge community based programs to address crime, education, small business development and neighborhood revitalization.

"Elected in 1998 and re-elected in 2002, her term was distinguished by implementing goals to make every neighborhood safe and enhancing opportunities for residents and providing guidance on improving city government's service to them...

"After her time on the City Council, Chavez founded and was principal of California Leadership Services, offering clients comprehensive and diversified consulting services issues such as government relations, organizational development and nonprofit management.

"Chavez has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors including Leader in Residence at her alma mater, San Jose State University; a research fellowship with the University of California, Santa Cruz's Center for Global International & Regional Studies; Silicon Valley Business Journal's Influential Women in Business, 2004; Martin Luther King Jr., Freedom Award, 2002; Silicon Valley Woman of Achievement, 1997; Outstanding Women of Silicon Valley, 1996; Blue Cross of California Achievement Award, 2006; City Year, Team Hero and Moccasin Awards, 2003, 2004; Housing Backbone Award from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, 2005. She has served on numerous non-profit boards and is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum."