Her Story
About Cindi
Cindi Karl is an accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and technology leader with three decades of experience working in startup environments and helping organizations navigate growth, innovation, and transformation. Her professional background spans healthcare technology, construction technology, product management, software development, business strategy, and customer success. Throughout her career, Cindi has worked with venture-backed and private equity-backed organizations, where she has established product management functions, built high-performing teams, developed technology strategies, and guided products from concept through commercialization. Her ability to combine strategic vision with practical execution has positioned her as a trusted leader in complex and rapidly evolving industries.
Cindi currently serves as the Owner of Graze Craze Carlsbad, a charcuterie catering business serving the Carlsbad and North County San Diego community. After completing her tenure with her fifth startup, she embraced entrepreneurship and brought her extensive leadership experience into a new industry centered on creativity, hospitality, and community. In her role, she oversees the full operation of the business, including business development, marketing, customer experience, partnerships, and day-to-day operations. She is focused on expanding the local presence of the brand, developing strategic marketing and public relations opportunities, strengthening community relationships, and creating memorable grazing experiences for corporate events, celebrations, gatherings, and special occasions. Her approach combines the customer-focused mindset developed throughout her technology career with a passion for delivering quality and attention to detail.
Earlier in her career, Cindi held senior leadership positions including Vice President of Product at eSUB Construction Software, VP of Product & Technology at ACCUMEN, Senior Director of Product Management at Skylight Healthcare Systems, and Radiology Market Leader at XIFIN. Her accomplishments include rebuilding and repositioning technology platforms, increasing annual recurring revenue, improving sales performance, strengthening customer retention, establishing product and technology processes, and supporting successful organizational growth and acquisitions. She also played an important role in healthcare technology innovation, including work involving software implementation, education, analytics, and artificial intelligence for medical coding. Beyond her corporate career, Cindi has demonstrated a strong commitment to community involvement through service with Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner, where she served on the Board of Directors, worked as Concession Director, and volunteered as an assistant cheer coach. She was recognized with the organization’s 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award. Cindi attributes her success to consistently saying yes to opportunities where she could learn, contribute, and create value, even when those opportunities extended beyond her formal responsibilities. Guided by honesty, courtesy, trust, and respect, she continues to bring a collaborative, strategic, and entrepreneurial mindset to her work as she grows Graze Craze Carlsbad and builds meaningful connections within her community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cindi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to my willingness to say yes to opportunities that create value, even when they fall outside my formal job responsibilities. Whether creating educational videos, attending trade shows, visiting customers, supporting sales initiatives, or stepping in wherever there was a need, I consistently looked for ways to learn, contribute, and make a meaningful impact. This proactive mindset has allowed me to become a reliable and valuable team member, expand my experience, increase my visibility within organizations, and accelerate my professional growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the most valuable pieces of career advice I have received came from a former CEO, who encouraged me to create more “think time.” As someone who naturally stays focused on execution, managing priorities, and moving projects forward, I learned the importance of stepping away from the day-to-day to reflect, think strategically, and consider what comes next. Making intentional time for strategic thinking has helped me become more purposeful in my planning, strengthen my decision-making, and remain focused on long-term growth.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One of the most valuable pieces of career advice I have received is to create more “think time.” As someone who is naturally focused on execution, staying productive, and moving projects forward, I learned the importance of stepping away from day-to-day responsibilities to think strategically about the bigger picture. Taking time to reflect, evaluate what comes next, and plan for the future has helped me become more intentional in my decision-making and has been instrumental in supporting my continued professional growth.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see significant opportunities for growth and expansion in my field. As the owner of one location within a brand with approximately 130 stores nationwide and additional international locations, my goal is to build on our success and eventually operate additional locations within my market. At the same time, increasing brand recognition and identifying effective marketing strategies remain key challenges. I am focused on developing strong marketing and PR partnerships, securing local media and lifestyle coverage, expanding social media engagement, collaborating with brand ambassadors, and working closely with the franchise to strengthen both local and national visibility. For me, the opportunity and the challenge are closely connected: increasing awareness, staying relevant in a competitive market, and transforming greater brand visibility into sustainable, long-term growth.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me, both professionally and personally, are honesty, courtesy, trust, and respect. I believe that while you may not always like or agree with everyone you work with, you should always treat people with courtesy, professionalism, and respect. I strive to be someone others can trust by leading with honesty, integrity, and consistency. I believe that when you demonstrate these qualities in your interactions with colleagues, employees, and others, they are often reflected back, creating stronger relationships and a positive environment.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.