Cynthia Le

Chief Financial Officer

Professional Overview

Cynthia Le is an accomplished finance executive with extensive experience in the education sector. As the Chief Financial Officer at Portland Public Schools, she oversees the district's financial operations, strategic planning, and resource allocation to ensure academic excellence and fiscal responsibility.

Experience Summary

Current Role

Cynthia has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Portland Public Schools since 2018. In this role, she is responsible for managing the district's $1.2 billion annual budget, overseeing financial reporting and compliance, and providing strategic financial guidance to the superintendent and Board of Education. Under her leadership, the district has maintained a strong financial position, implemented cost-saving measures, and secured additional funding to support student programs and infrastructure improvements.

Career Progression

Prior to her current role, Cynthia held several finance leadership positions in the education industry. She served as the Finance Director at Reynolds School District, where she played a key role in streamlining financial processes, improving budget transparency, and securing grants to fund critical initiatives. Before that, she held the position of Financial Supervisor at Reynolds School District and Business Manager at Riverdale School District, steadily advancing her expertise in school district finance.

Academic Background

Cynthia holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Oregon, where she specialized in finance and accounting. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Portland, graduating cum laude.

Areas of Expertise

• Financial management and planning

• Budget development and implementation

• Financial reporting and compliance

• Grant writing and funding acquisition

• Strategic decision-making and resource allocation

• Leadership and team management

Professional Impact

Under Cynthia's financial stewardship, Portland Public Schools has maintained a strong credit rating, successfully navigated budget challenges, and secured over $25 million in grant funding to support student programs and facility upgrades. Her strategic approach and financial acumen have been instrumental in ensuring the district's long-term financial sustainability and enabling the delivery of high-quality education to over 50,000 students.

Conclusion

With her extensive experience in the education finance sector and a proven track record of driving operational excellence, Cynthia Le is well-positioned to continue making a significant impact as the Chief Financial Officer of Portland Public Schools. Her dedication to fiscal responsibility and her commitment to supporting student success make her a valuable asset to the district and the broader education community.