Alumnae

Cynthia Sylvain-Lear, '69

Deputy CAO of the City of New Orleans!

Chief Administrative Officer Kimberly D. Williamson recently announced the appointment of Cynthia Sylvain-Lear as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Formerly the Director of the Department of Parks and Parkways, Sylvain-Lear will assist in the management of city financial and operational matters.

"Ms. Sylvain-Lear has an impressive track record of commitment and strategic management. Her experience with implementing large-scale development initiatives will be a great credit to the transformation of New Orleans," Mayor Nagin said.

"Cynthia Sylvain-Lear has expert analytical skills and a strong financial background. Plus, she has tremendous integrity and gets things done. I was very impressed with her when I was at the DDD," said CAO Williamson.

The Deputy CAO appointment begins later this month. She will be paid a salary of nearly $69,000 in her new position. Her salary as Parks and Parkways Director was $55,000.

Since 1998, Sylvain-Lear has directed the Department of Parks and Parkways. While with Parkways, she was responsible for a staff of 240, a $7 million annual operating budget, more than $5 million in capital projects and major landscaping initiatives throughout New Orleans.

Cynthia Sylvain-Lear joined city government in 1996 as a Project Manager with the Division of Economic Development. She implemented an overhaul of the city's Restoration Tax Abatement Program. A year later, she was appointed Director of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization.

Prior to joining the city, Sylvain-Lear worked in the oil and gas industry for more than 20 years. In her most recent position held there, she analyzed budgets and projects in excess of $50 million.

Sylvain-Lear is originally from New Orleans. She is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, has an MBA from Loyola University and a Bachelor's degree from Xavier University.