Cynthia Pacia

Director of Development & Resource Mobilization

Cynthia comes to the Climate Solutions Accelerator with over 25 years experience in philanthropy and community engagement at some of our region’s top nonprofit organizations like the George Eastman Museum, The Hochstein School, The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm, and Rochester Area Community Foundation. As someone who has been passionate about the environment and climate change since her childhood in California where she experienced frequent droughts and wildfires, she is excited to bring her in-depth background in fundraising, storytelling, and community engagement to an organization that aligns deeply with her personal values and commitment to building a healthier and more resilient community for all. 

In addition to her professional experience, Cynthia spent several years being the primary in-home caregiver for her mother. This not only gave her a wonderful opportunity to provide supportive, nurturing care in her multigenerational household, it gave her critical insights into providing trauma-informed care and navigating systems in our region. 

Cynthia received her B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing at Binghamton University and moved to the Rochester area in 1999 where she and her husband have raised two children. After being part of building and convening young professional networking groups in the mid-2000s, she is now actively working to create new engagement opportunities for people of all ages that support local businesses while also connecting them with nonprofits in her free time.