2023 Alumni Awards Profiles

Cynthia Dominguez ’12

Reunion: 10th
Residence: Chicago, Illinois
Grinnell majors: Psychology and Spanish
Profession: Finance and operations

3 ways Cynthia embodies Grinnell College’s mission of lifetime learning and service

Cynthia has distinguished herself early in her career in the nonprofit and philanthropy sector. She previously worked as the director of administration at Urban Initiatives, a Chicago nonprofit that supports youth through academic support, sports, and play; and was director of finance and administration for Nourishing Hope (formerly Lakeview Pantry). She now is the vice president of finance and operations at the Evanston Community Foundation.
She consistently advocates for and undertakes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in each of her positions, applying a racial equity lens in finance efforts, fundraising strategies, program operations, and organizational inclusiveness. In all of her roles, she has proudly represented as a Latina in leadership and aims to create pathways for other people of color to follow.
Cynthia has used her athletic passions to foster community. A captain on the soccer team while at Grinnell, Cynthia remains a dedicated part of Grinnell women’s soccer. She builds relationships with soccer alumni in the Chicagoland area, and together they support the local women’s professional team, the Chicago Red Stars. She also regularly plays pick up soccer with the neighborhood middle schoolers in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago.

Something you probably didn’t know about Cynthia

While studying abroad as a student in Spain, Cynthia visited France and fell in love with the language and culture. She became such a Francophile that she revised her senior year schedule to tackle introductory French classes. She spent one month in France in 2019 during the women’s World Cup and intends to someday retire there.

A group photo of the Grinnell Women's Soccer Team

Bonus Cynthia Fun Facts

Cynthia is a graduate of the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement’s Mujeres de HACE leadership program.
From 2012 to 2014, Cynthia taught English language and culture classes at a vocational school in Ourense, Spain to over 100 students.
She was a part of the first cohort for the University of Chicago’s Rustandy Center Nonprofit Network for Strategic Operations and Finance Program.

A quote about Cynthia

“Cynthia continually challenges herself and those around her to be better. She challenges them to help and support others, and to dream bigger. I am so proud of the impact she has had on the communities as well as her personal growth and leadership. She cares deeply for others, is an incredible cheerleader and supporter, and does everything she can to be as inclusive of others. She is a pioneer in every aspect of her career and personal life, and truly embodies what it means to be a Grinnellian.”

– Amanda Hodo Felix ’14