Cynthia J. Brandt, PhD

Cynthia Brandt joined the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health as president and CEO in 2018.  With the outstanding team at the Foundation, she’s unlocking philanthropy to improve health outcomes for all kids and their families in the Bay Area and beyond and ensure equitable access to excellent care for children with special health care needs.   

Her leadership has lifted the sights of the Foundation’s philanthropic community and increased donor support for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford and pediatric and maternal health programs at Stanford University School of Medicine.  She led the organization to its best fundraising year in the history of the Foundation, raising $293 million.  And, she aspires to have even greater impact!  

For more than 20 years, Cynthia contributed to important missions and great teams in key positions in fundraising and communications.  She was campaign director for the Smithsonian Institution, vice president for advancement at Mills College, and associate dean for external relations at Stanford University School of Humanities and Sciences.  At the Smithsonian, she led the public phase of the institution’s first-ever comprehensive campaign, which raised $1.88 billion, surpassing its goal 16 months early.  It was the most ambitious fundraising campaign by a cultural institution to date.   

Cynthia is grateful and motivated to give back because the generosity of others allowed her to pursue a PhD and MA in sociology at Stanford, and a BA in English and fine arts at Vanderbilt University.  She is inspired by the potential for science to heal humanity and the planet.    

Originally from St. Louis, Cynthia now resides in Portola Valley with her family and pets.

Executive Assistant
Carol Mascali
Carol.Mascali [at] lpfch.org