Contact: csummers@pcdc.org
Dr. Cynthia Summers joins PCDC as the Managing Director of Strategy & Public Affairs, where she provides vision for and oversight of communications, policy & advocacy, and evaluation & analytics.
Prior to joining PCDC, she was the Chief Strategy Officer at ICL, a large behavioral health and supportive housing provider in NYC. In that role, she led the development, writing and implementation of the agency’s new strategic plan, and developed the emergency response and continuity of operations plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, she was the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Communications & Publications at the Guttmacher Institute. During her time there, she provided creative input for communications, editing, production, web and design, and was responsible for ensuring the high quality of all products and platforms carrying the Institute’s brand. Dr. Summers also oversaw Human Resources, the development and implementation of the Institute’s strategic plan, and played a key role in fundraising and donor relations.
Prior to Guttmacher, Dr. Summers was the Assistant Commissioner of Health Planning at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. During her tenure there, she led the Take Care New York campaigns and an evaluation of an innovative mental health program for inmates at Rikers Island, and created a new office that monitored, analyzed and aimed to influence the health policy landscape in the city and state.
Previously, Dr. Summers was the Director of Marketing and Public Affairs at Danco Laboratories, a small pharmaceutical company that manufactures, markets and distributes the abortion pill in the United States. She was responsible for all media and public relations, patient and provider education, and product marketing.
Cynthia received her BS from the University of Utah, her MPH from San Diego State University, and her DrPH from the University of IL at Chicago.