Cindy serves as the Senior Editorial & Research Manager at the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, where she leads the development of publications and briefs that highlight policy gaps, evidence-based recommendations, and emerging considerations in maternal mental health (MMH).  She has led the Maternal Suicide program at the Policy Center since 2018, and is an expert in maternal suicide, MMH screening, peer support, and researching MMH disorders from a holistic perspective. Cindy is currently pursuing her PhD in Nursing Science & Healthcare Innovation at Arizona State University, where she also received her MA in Special Education.  Her doctoral research focuses on maternal suicidality and mortality. With a decade of experience in MMH and a strong academic foundation, Cindy has used her skills to bridge the gap between research and policy in MMH, while elevating the use of patient-centered, evidence-based research to inform policy development.  

Cindy is a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) in the State of Arizona and is also  certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C). Cindy is a core member of the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Maternal Mortality Review Board (ADHS MMRC). She is also on ADHS’s Arizona Maternal Mental Health Task Force, where she chaired the awareness workgroup.  As a Peer Support Certification Expert Panelist for SAMHSA, Cindy advised on the development of a national framework and standard for peer support.  Previously, Cindy served as the Strategic Partnerships & Campaigns Lead at the Policy Center, during which she routinely convened stakeholder events, led the national Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week Campaign (2018-2022), and served as the pharmaceutical advocacy liaison.  Additionally, Cindy serves as a reviewer and reviewer mentor for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).  Cindy is currently the Vice President of the ASU Edson PhD Student Organization and was the 2024 Arizona Graduate Nursing Academy Advocacy Leader for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).