Cynthia Hill
Cynthia (Pace) Hill is a seasoned telecommunications professional with over 25 years of experience, specializing in multi-family property solutions. As the Community Development Manager at Metronet Fiber, she focuses on bringing high-speed fiber to homeowners associations and apartment communities, expertly navigating complex negotiations that often span months or years. Her approach combines a hunter mentality with collaboration and integrity, ensuring that clients feel supported and informed throughout long-term contract and easement agreements.
Cynthia’s career in telecommunications includes roles with major companies such as AT&T, Comcast, DirecTV, and Charter, as well as agency work, where she honed her skills in quota-driven sales, pipeline development, and strategic negotiation. Prior to Metronet, she also owned and operated Jumpstart Fitness, reflecting her entrepreneurial spirit and versatility. Cynthia’s professional philosophy centers on building lasting relationships, approaching negotiations with empathy, and always maintaining integrity, believing in the importance of standing by clients rather than simply closing deals and moving on.
Educated in political science at Illinois Wesleyan University and having completed graduate coursework toward a master’s in speech communications at Illinois State University, Cynthia combines analytical expertise with strong communication skills. She is also active in volunteering, mentoring middle and high school students through Big Brothers Big Sisters and supporting faith- and health-related initiatives. Her professional memberships and certifications, including American Council on Exercise and American Fitness Association credentials, demonstrate her commitment to continual learning and service in both professional and personal arenas.
• Certified aerobic instructor
• Certified instructor's instructor
• Illinois State University- M.S.
• Illinois Wesleyan University- Bachelor's
• Winner of Best Public Speaking Teacher's Assistant by International Communications Association
• American Council on Exercise
• American Fitness Association (AFA)
• Sigma Kappa Sorority
• Young Republicans
• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
• Big Brother Big Sister
What do you attribute your success to?
I think it has to be something more internal. My last manager kept focusing on money as a motivator, but I told him flat out that's not my number one driver. It's really about being proud and being recognized as part of a valuable team that's adding to the organization - that gives me a great feeling. So I think that motivation to do well for the team and do well for myself is the number one thing. I've always felt that if you work really hard in a sales position and you're decent at it, the compensation will follow. You don't have to worry about it and focus on it. My focus is more on how can I get these projects and deals across the finish line. I've always been like this - I always wanted to get good grades, I always wanted to do well. It just gives you a sense of purpose.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd say one thing is to stick with the facts, so never try to avoid ever being overly emotional. When you get to a stick point in negotiating and they get elevated, if you follow suit, it doesn't end well. It's always good to be very calm and a good listener, and I think always keep your cool. If you're in a hunter role, my recommendation is to get to work, persevere, and keep plugging. Keep activity up, sales activity, to be able to have a big enough pipeline to close your deals to meet your quota. If you're positioning yourself for a management role in telecommunications, I'm really not sure how a woman could do that. It has to do with somebody that they know that gets them in, and it depends on how much clout that male has within the organization.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include navigating entrenched “old boys” networks, overcoming property-owner resistance to long-term legal agreements, and managing lengthy, complex negotiations. Opportunities lie in the increasing participation of women—now around 40–50%—and the accelerating demand for fiber and high-speed connectivity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, teamwork, and mentorship, along with perseverance and a commitment to faith-based service in both my work and personal life.