Growing up in the timber town of Tokoroa in the Waikato, Cindy has travelled the world working in health and social services, amassing a wealth of leadership, organisational and strategic development experience she now brings to her role as Tumuaki.

Losing a sister too early to cancer motivated Cindy to return to Hauraki to raise her whānau and taking up the challenge of leading Hei Āhuru Mōwai to improve cancer outcomes for whānau Maori.

Cindy has extensive networks across Aotearoa and brings substantial expertise in enabling Māori health research and strategy through her work in public health, Māori health and hauora services.

Most recently she led the growth and development of the Māori health workforce for Te Whatu Ora Waikato as Director of Māori Workforce Development. She also established a Māori Equity Strategy & Research Directorate and the development of the organisation's equity strategic direction.

Cindy holds a Bachelor of Social Services and a Masters of Applied Psychology from Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. She presented the findings and recommendations of her research into whānau experiences of Audiology early intervention services for tamariki Māori to the National Audiology Society conference and Waikato DHB Audiology Service. Cindy is immensely proud of the positive impact the research will have on whānau.