The Right Place at the Right Time
Knocking On the Door
In 2013, Cynthia knocked on the door of America Makes, beginning a career journey that no one would ever have predicted. On that fateful day, she learned about this newish industry called additive manufacturing, with a really good story to tell, but no one was telling it. Always up for a challenge – and being a master at controlling her own destiny, she decided to “figure this out”, and boy, did she ever!
But this story needs to go back a few years – to another time, and another country. Cynthia was born and raised in Canada where she obtained a degree in Radio & Television Communications, with a plan to work in the emerging music video industry. Discovering no real jobs, and no real money, she detoured into advertising. Through a variety of happenstances, which included quitting a job in the middle of a positive performance review and a boss suffering a heart attack, she became an Advertising Agency Producer, eventually producing national TV commercials for clients such as Air Canada, Molson Breweries, and McDonald’s. While simply assuming her positions without ever receiving a formal promotion, she went on to win the national award for Top TV Commercial of the Year.
A job transfer for her husband and the impending birth of her third child, Cynthia took a break from a formal career, moving to California and taking on the role of Mom - but in true Cynthia fashion, she took on the roles of PTA President and State Delegate – because, well, she would figure it out.
After moving to Ohio and becoming a dual Canadian-American citizen, she aligned with the local NBC TV station to form a high-end video production company, learning how to write, produce and direct long-form TV shows, corporate videos and commercials. This takes us back to the beginning of the story and the knock on the door at America Makes.
Right Place. Right Time.
With a camera by her side, Cynthia walked the floor at her first RAPID+tct in 2013, talking with companies and educating herself on the different technologies and people who were making it happen. She’s attended every RAPID event since, cultivating an exceptional niche in communications efforts and relationships within the additive manufacturing sector. Side note - it was at RAPID 2019 that she first shook hands with John Barnes who suggested they have coffee.
Cynthia and TBGA took on the task to help companies in 3D printing find their voice. Engineers, and manufacturing in general, have a unique language that doesn’t always sync with what the industry is wanting or needing to hear. Applying years of experience in asking questions and learning the stories of AM, Cynthia has been able to bridge the knowledge gap to make sense of complexity – helping companies reach their audience with communications strategies that have worked.
Leaving A Legacy
Through vision, resilience, and an unwavering drive to chart her own course, Cynthia has built a remarkable career in AM, including experiencing a full circle moment when she was recognized as an America Makes Ambassador in 2023.
And now, with over 10 years in additive, and entering her 7th year with The Barnes Global Advisors, TBGA is pleased to recognize Cynthia’s appointment as the Senior Communications Strategist. This new role recognizes her longstanding contributions to the additive manufacturing industry. Through curiosity, persistence, and a passion for AM, she has spent her career figuring it out, now helping our team and customers do the same, with clarity, insight, and steady guidance. As a natural connector of people, ideas, and opportunities, Cynthia brings a unique ability to align communications strategy with purpose and progress, continuing to strengthen how we work together and how we move the industry forward.