Cynthia F. Figueroa is the Deputy Mayor of the newly created Office of Children and Families (OCF) for the City of Philadelphia. This office works across City departments to ensure that policies, resources, and services for children and families are aligned and coordinated, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia. As Deputy Mayor of the Office of Children and Families, she will oversee the expansion of the City’s PHLpreK and Community School programs and establish a Children and Families Cabinet of city leaders from different departments to improve coordination of all services that impact Philadelphia families.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Mayor, Cynthia served as Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS), and has devoted her career to helping improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.
Cynthia has previously served as President and CEO of Congreso de Latinos Unidos. From 2008 to 2011, Cynthia served as Deputy Commissioner for DHS and was responsible for the oversight of what was then known as the Division of Community Based Prevention Services. She was instrumental in enhancing relationships with key stakeholders including the School District of Philadelphia, other City departments, and the provider community.
In addition to her roles at DHS and Congreso, Cynthia served as executive director of Women Against Abuse. Early in her career, she worked on the front line serving clients in a variety of settings, including programs for female offenders, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and victims of domestic violence.
Cynthia is the recipient of a prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship and a British American Fellow. She has also received the Ricard Salinas, Scholarship – The Aspen Institute, the University of Pennsylvania Outstanding Leadership Award, the National Football League/Philadelphia Eagles Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, and the prestigious Peter B. Goldberg Aramark Building Community Executive Leadership Award. In addition, she was awarded the Hispanic Bar Association La Justicia Award.
Cynthia serves on the USA Board of Trustees for United Way. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Zoo. Most recently she was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Wolf to serve on the Statewide Juvenile Justice Taskforce.
Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Cynthia and her family reside in Philadelphia.