Her Story
About Cynthia
Cynthia DeLaPena serves as Executive Director of Community Development and Impact at Community First Health Plans in San Antonio, Texas. She entered the healthcare field in 2001 at University Health's urgent care clinic, where she managed the front office and assisted uninsured patients with accessing programs such as Medicaid and CHIP. She later joined Community First Health Plans in the call center, advanced to outreach roles, and now leads community development and corporate communications initiatives focused on connecting underserved populations with healthcare resources and support services. DeLaPena earned a high school diploma in 1999, a healthcare certificate from San Antonio College in 2001, and a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in management from Concordia University in 2019, graduating summa cum laude. She maintains a Lean Six Sigma certification, a Group 1 license, and a licensed agent credential. Her professional affiliations include serving as vice chair on the board of the American Marketing Association, as well as board member or co-chair roles with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Texas, Luminaria, and Hope at Heart. She has received the Bloom Award from ABC of South Texas and actively mentors emerging professionals and high school students through programs supporting Latina leaders.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cynthia
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd say to believe in yourself, to not have self-doubt. ... To walk in with your shoulders back, your head held high, to have confidence in yourself. To be able to look somebody in the eye. So that they know that they see the confidence in you. Because if you don't have that, no one else is gonna have it for you. And that type of energy, that type of confidence, that type of believe in yourself is contagious. ... You're unstoppable.
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