As AI Now’s Senior Operations Director, Cynthia Burns leads the organization's operations, helping to build the systems, processes, and organizational infrastructure that support the team and advance the organization's mission.
Cynthia has more than two decades of nonprofit operations leadership experience spanning finance, human resources, legal and regulatory compliance, technology, governance, and organizational development. Prior to joining AI Now, she served for nearly four years as Chief Operating Officer at Shift, a nonprofit working globally to embed respect for human rights into business practice. Before that, she spent seventeen years at Human Rights First, most recently as Vice President of Operations, where she helped strengthen the operational foundation supporting the organization's advocacy, legal services, and research work.
Throughout her career, Cynthia has focused on building collaborative, people-centered organizations by developing practical systems, strengthening organizational culture, and helping mission-driven teams thrive during periods of growth and change.
Cynthia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hunter College, with a focus on human rights and energy and environmental policy. She has also undertaken graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of New Hampshire.
Cynthia has more than two decades of nonprofit operations leadership experience spanning finance, human resources, legal and regulatory compliance, technology, governance, and organizational development. Prior to joining AI Now, she served for nearly four years as Chief Operating Officer at Shift, a nonprofit working globally to embed respect for human rights into business practice. Before that, she spent seventeen years at Human Rights First, most recently as Vice President of Operations, where she helped strengthen the operational foundation supporting the organization's advocacy, legal services, and research work.
Throughout her career, Cynthia has focused on building collaborative, people-centered organizations by developing practical systems, strengthening organizational culture, and helping mission-driven teams thrive during periods of growth and change.
Cynthia holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hunter College, with a focus on human rights and energy and environmental policy. She has also undertaken graduate studies in Public Administration at the University of New Hampshire.