A powerful testament to resilience and purpose, this article chronicles a transformative journey from single motherhood to 20 years in higher education, sales, and nonprofit arts work, demonstrating how personal struggles become catalysts for inspiring and empowering others.
Her Story
About Cindy
Cindy Jimenez is a seasoned leader with more than 25 years of experience in program development, conference and event management, sales, customer relationship management, marketing, contract negotiation and fundraising. She currently serves as Senior Manager at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, where she oversees membership operations, donor relationships, events, budgets and community engagement initiatives. In her role, she manages 1,100 members and donors, develops retention strategies, supports fundraising efforts and creates meaningful experiences that connect people through the arts.
Before joining the Count Basie Center for the Arts, Cindy spent two decades at Seton Hall Law School /Seton Hall University. Cindy
built an incredibly versatile background working in Enrollment Services, Alumni, Development and Continued Education and Professional Studies, spanning the entire student and institutional lifecycle. During her tenure, she managed programs and budgets while helping students and families navigate their educational journeys. Cindy's leadership was instrumental in managing SetonWorldWide, an early online and continuing education and professional distance learning model that laid the foundation for modern digital courses offered today.
Cindy developed a lifelong passion for mentoring and empowering others, she thanks her exceptional Dean and mentor during her tenure at Seton Hall who encouraged her and empowered her in her journey.
Cindy later transitioned into hospitality and event sales with Marriott International and Hyatt Hotels Corporation in New York City. She worked managing high profile corporate events, conferences and major client accounts while consistently exceeding sales goals. Throughout her career, Cindy has believed that every relationship matters and that true success is built on service, compassion and integrity.
A proud mother of five and grandmother of two, Cindy's journey began with becoming a mother at 19. Many viewed this as a setback, however for Cindy this became the beginning of a powerful purpose. It awakened a determination to break through barriers, challenges, stigma and prove that where we begin does not define where you finish. Cindy knew the road ahead would require hard work, sacrifice and faith—and she was ready to rise to the challenge. Her personal experiences shaped her commitment to helping others recognize their own potential, regardless of where they begin in life.
Cindy is a domestic violence survivor and is a passionate advocate for healing, hope and resilience. She uses art and music to bypass language. It helps her restore hope, bring comfort as part of her healing process.
She volunteers with organizations that address food insecurity, financial hardship and domestic violence while also pursuing her entrepreneurial ventures in property rehabilitation and interior design.
Cindy continues to inspire others through her leadership, faith, and unwavering belief that success is defined not by where you begin, but in your resilience and where you ultimately finish.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cindy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my university mentor who recognized my strength, wisdom and determination.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
*Believe in yourself
*Drive change
*Use your story to encourage, empower and inspire others.
*Leadership is about influence and impact, not just authority
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Focus on developing long-term relationship rather then short-term transitional relationships. Leverage your emotional intelligence, build genuine relationships by becoming an active listener; understand language and emotions.
Advocate for yourself, for individuals and for the community.
"Detours are not always a set-back, it may be the path to Joy"-Cindy
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Determining what's next! Creating new experiences and leaving a legacy.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Leading by positive impact through care and support.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Cindy
The Journey-"It’s not where I start the race, it’s where I finish"
From resilience and motherhood to leading with purpose: a 20-year journey of breaking barriers and lifting others in higher education, sales, and the nonprofit arts.
I have been deeply blessed by a career and life journey that have taught me resilience, courage, and the power of lifting others along the way.
"It's not where I started the race; it's where I finish."
I am the proud mother of five beautiful children and grandmother of two wonderful grandchildren. Becoming a mother at 19 was viewed by many as a setback, but for me, it became the beginning of a powerful purpose. It awakened a determination within me to break through barriers, challenge stigma, and prove that where we begin does not define where we are capable of going. I knew the road ahead would require hard work, sacrifice, and faith—and I was ready to rise to the challenge.
One of the greatest blessings in my career was beginning my education while working in higher education under an extraordinary mentor who was also my supervisor. He saw strength, wisdom, and determination in me before I fully recognized them in myself. He challenged me, encouraged me to conquer fear, and empowered me to take on difficult tasks with confidence. Along the way, he celebrated both my professional and personal growth, often saying,
"Well done, kiddo! I'm so proud of you!"
His belief in me became a light I still carry.
Because of the impact he had on both my career and my life, I now strive to be that same source of encouragement for others. I want to inspire young women to recognize their own strength, trust their journey, and believe that they, too, can overcome obstacles and lead with purpose.
20 Years in Higher Education
During my 20 years in higher education, I managed a budget of more than one million dollars, but the greatest reward was never found in numbers alone. It was found in the students and families I had the privilege of meeting at the beginning of their journeys and supporting through graduation. Many faced significant challenges along the way, but their perseverance reminded me of a truth I hold close: it is not always where we start that matters most—it is how we finish.
A Career in Sales and Hospitality
During my career in sales and hospitality, I had the opportunity to meet many celebrities and work with prestigious companies and organizations. I was never intimidated by status or wealth; I saw people first. As I came to know many of them, I discovered philanthropists and humanitarians who remained humble because their own paths to success had not been easy. Their stories reinforced my belief that perseverance, compassion, and humility create a lasting impact.
A Calling, Not Just a Career
I currently work for a nonprofit arts center that creates and shares educational, artistic, and community experiences that ignite curiosity, understanding, and joy. In this role, I witness the healing power of music and the arts every day.
As a survivor of domestic violence, I know personally how art and music can restore hope, bring comfort, and become part of the healing process. This work is more than a career to me—it is a calling.
I volunteer with several nonprofit organizations that address food, health, and financial insecurity, and I serve as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Through every role I hold, I hope to light the way for others—to remind them that healing is possible, dreams are still within reach, and their story is not over.
In my spare time, I rehabilitate and redesign homes to restore their charm.
I am blessed to be alive, grateful for the journey that has shaped me, and thankful for the opportunity to use my story to encourage, empower, and inspire others.
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