NAME: Cynthia Lesher
EMAIL: cyndilesher@gmail.com
TITLE: Chair, GWDC
ORGANIZATION: GWDC

Cynthia (Cyndi) Lesher is Chair of the GWDC and was formerly Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer of Xcel Energy until she retired in September 2008.

Prior to the August 2000 merger of New Century Energies and Northern States Power (NSP) to form Xcel Energy, Cynthia was president of NSP Gas and Vice President, Human Resources. Lesher joined NSP in 1980 and held a variety of operation and staff positions, including Director of human resources for power generation, general manager of electric utility operations, manager of metro credit and collections, and manager of occupational safety and health.

In October 1996, Lesher was named one of the top human resources executives of the year and a member of the 1996 HR Honor Role by HR Magazine. In July 2000, she was named one of the Twin Cities' most innovative women by CityBusiness magazine.

Lesher earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Drake University, and a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and psychology from St. Cloud State University. She also completed the Master of Excellence Program at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.

In 2003 she was inducted into the Women's Economic Roundtable, the top 100 women leaders in Minnesota.Lesher is on the board of directors for a number of organizations, including Board Chair of St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Trustees of United Hospital, executive committee of the Metropolitan Economic Development Association, executive committee of the St. Paul Riverfront Corporation, the Grand Excursion Board of Directors, the Neighborhood House and the Minneapolis YWCA.