Cynthia Barnes

Founder and CEO

Salesforce

Recognized by Salesforce as one of the Top Sales Influencers to Follow 4X (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)

 Salesforce Top Sales Influencer to Follow (4X)

Thank You; It's True.

From teaching women how to reach the top 1% to empowering them to own it—I've transformed my expertise into a revolutionary methodology that helps professional women Own Their Awesome with four simple words: "Thank you; it's true."

As the author of "Reach the Top 1%: A Strategic Game Plan for Warrior Women in Sales" and founder of the National Association of Women Sales Professionals, I witnessed firsthand how even the highest achievers struggle to own their success. This insight led to creating the transformative "Thank you; it's true" framework, which turns the simple act of accepting compliments into a powerful catalyst for authentic confidence.

Key Focus Areas:
• Transforming high-achieving women from reaching success to owning it
• Pioneering behavioral change strategies that eliminate imposter syndrome
• Delivering high-impact keynotes and workshops on authentic confidence-building
• Leading a global movement to revolutionize how women receive and internalize recognition
• Developing scalable programs that create systemic change in workplace cultures

Impact:
• Created the groundbreaking "Thank you; it's true" framework
• Built the NAWSP from inception to 15,000 members
• Featured TEDx speaker on confidence and authentic leadership
• LinkedIn Top Voice | 4X Salesforce Top Influencer

My mission has evolved from showing women how to achieve success to empowering them to fully own it. Through the power of "Thank you; it's true," I'm helping professional women transform their relationship with confidence and create lasting cultural change.

Chief Transformation Officer & Founder 

TED Conferences

• Delivered engaging keynote presentations and immersive workshops at TED Conferences to equip teams with the mindsets and toolsets for success.
• Collaborated with event organizers to tailor talks on various topics to inspire and motivate audiences.
• Received accolades for impactful talks that left lasting impressions on attendees and sparked meaningful conversations.

TEDx Speaker | Keynote & SKO Speaker

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier

RedBoxMe in Collaboration with Cartier is at the intersection of philanthropy, art, cinema, leadership, literature, sustainability, and more, all driven by deep passion and commitment from our group of members. RedBoxMe was architected by Cartier Awards Laureate and innovator Candice Pascoal alongside the President of Cartier International, Cyrille Vigneron. At its core, RedBoxMe is a platform that curates a diverse and inclusive community of thought leaders, creatives, and individuals from various backgrounds for the expansion of thought. We gather around a number of intellectual and creative opportunities, both online and in person, creating a dynamic and engaging space that goes beyond traditional knowledge consumption.

Luminary Thinker

National Association of Women Sales Professionals

∙ Built a global community of 15,000 women sales professionals, offering targeted mentorship, training programs, and resources that enhanced confidence and career advancement.
∙ Spearheaded strategic partnerships with 50+ global organizations to embed equity-focused hiring and development strategies, achieving measurable increases in diversity and retention.
∙ Designed and launched scalable programs like NAWSP:EVOLVE, addressing systemic challenges and driving industry-wide transformation.

Total Quality Logistics

• Secured and expanded pivotal freight brokerage accounts, identifying prospective clients and sealing lucrative deals.
• Exceeded growth targets by 200%, showcasing exceptional ability to set and surpass ambitious DEI goals.
• Amplified revenue streams to $2 million within eighteen months, ensuring long-term financial viability.

Senior Account Executive, Logistics

Mary Kay Inc.

• Drove customer interest and revenue for a cosmetics company through market research and successful deal closures.
• Initiated employee surveys to enhance organizational communication and understanding.

Director of Employee Engagement

Women leave millions on the table every year—in salary, promotions, and business deals—because they hesitate to ask for what they deserve.

🔹 I help high-achieving women own their worth, negotiate fearlessly, and close with confidence—whether in the boardroom, the sales floor, or their career.

🔹 As a TEDx speaker, executive coach, and Fortune 500 consultant, I’ve worked with leaders at companies like Google, Bridgestone, and New York Life to empower women to stop settling and start owning their value.

🔹 WHAT I TEACH:
✅ How to negotiate with confidence and secure what you’re worth
✅ How to own your presence, influence, and executive authority
✅ How to sell yourself, your ideas, and your expertise like a pro

📢 FEATURED KEYNOTE: “Own Your Ask™ – The Art of Getting What You Deserve”
🔥 Perfect for sales teams, corporate leadership events, and women’s executive groups.

📅 Want me to speak at your next event? Let’s talk!

DM me or visit www.cynthia-barnes.com

* Founded NAWSP to offer executive-level consultation and develop DEI-specific strategies tailored for various industries, serving both U.S.-based and international clients.
* Advised C-Suite Leadership on optimal strategies to achieve short- and long-term objectives, sharing insights on trends, best practices, and their potential impacts on business models.
* Conducted Organizational Assessments to identify areas of improvement and recommended enhanced policies, processes, and procedures to clients.
* Developed and Facilitated Customized Curriculums focusing on recruitment and retention for over 50 organizations nationally and internationally.
* Implemented Employee Training and Development Programs to foster skill enhancement and professional growth.
* Established Performance Metrics and Measurement Systems to assess employee productivity and effectiveness.
* Orchestrated DE&I Roadmaps, aligning organizational goals with actionable diversity initiatives.
Increased Representation of underrepresented populations by 64% through targeted recruiting and mentorship programs.
* Conducted Equity Analysis across the entire employment life cycle, including recruitment, retention, interviews, performance evaluations, and separations.
* Developed ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) to promote inclusivity and address specific employee needs and concerns.
* Managed Talent and Succession Planning Programs to ensure organizational continuity and growth.
* Promoted a Positive and Inclusive Organizational Culture, enhancing team member engagement and productivity.
* Focused on Risk Management to mitigate potential organizational challenges and disruptions.
* Delivered Value by creating customized curricula and training for multiple industries, enhancing organizational capability and adaptability.
* Shared Industry Insights on current and emerging trends, enabling clients to adapt and innovate in their respective domains.

"Can you walk me through your salary expectations?"

I slid my number across the table. $127K.

The hiring manager's eyebrows shot up. "That's... ambitious for someone with your background."

My background: 8 years building revenue systems. $14M in documented value creation. Three frameworks running at my previous company.

"We were thinking more like $85K," he said. "But there's room to grow."

I folded. Took $92K. Convinced myself the title mattered more than the math.

Six months later, I'm training the new guy they hired. His starting salary? $135K. His experience? Five years. His documented wins? "Strong potential."

Same role. Same team. Same hiring manager.
Different invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠:

They knew my number was right. They just knew I'd accept less.

They didn't negotiate my value. They negotiated my confidence.

They weren't questioning my worth. They were testing my documentation.

The script from that failed negotiation still burns:
"I appreciate the opportunity..."
"I understand budget constraints..."
"I'm flexible on compensation..."

Translation: I'll subsidize your profits with my discount.

Now? Different script entirely.

"My rate reflects the value I create."
"Here's the documentation."
"This number is firm."

No apologies. No explanations. No negotiations on my worth.

Because they don't pay you what you're worth.
They pay you what you refuse to work without.

That failed negotiation? Cost me $35K annually. $175K over five years. Before compound interest. Before opportunity cost. Before the mental tax of watching Brad make more for less.

To every Black woman about to negotiate:

Your number isn't ambitious. Their offer is extraction.
Your experience isn't lacking. Their evaluation is.
Your documentation isn't excessive. It's evidence.

Stop negotiating against yourself before they even counter.
Stop accepting their framing of your value.
Stop believing growth potential pays bills.

They have the budget. They always did.
They're just waiting to see if you know it too.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. That hiring manager? Reached out last year for consulting help. My day rate is now triple what that annual raise would've been. He said it was "outside their budget." I said that sounded like a personal problem. Documentation has a beautiful memory.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #SalaryNegotiation #KnowYourWorth

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the pay gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2040 | Turning corporate extraction into income

A poised woman with short natural curls sits on the floor in a softly lit, elegant living room. She wears a fitted nude-toned tank top and taupe lounge pants, holding a floral teacup in one hand with a laptop in front of her. Her jewelry is minimal and refined, and the neutral décor behind her creates a serene, upscale atmosphere. 

Yes, I invoiced my church $10K.

The pastor's jaw dropped. "But we're doing God's work."

"So am I," I said. "And God's work deserves proper funding."

See, they'd been running community programs for 15 years. Free financial literacy. Free job training. Free business coaching. All led by Black women who tithed, served, and subsidized.

The youth minister was teaching coding bootcamps after her 9-to-5.
The deacon's wife ran entrepreneurship workshops on Saturdays.
Sister Johnson's grant-writing saved them $2M.

All for "the glory."
None for the invoice.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡:

The coding bootcamp they gave away? Worth $5K per student.
The entrepreneurship program? Corporations pay $25K for that.
Sister Johnson's grant expertise? Consultants charge $10K per proposal.

They were sitting on $500K in annual program revenue.
Giving it away while Black women burned out.
Calling it ministry while we subsidized their mission.

I didn't just invoice them. I taught them to invoice everyone else.

Started charging corporations for diversity training they'd been doing free.
Created certification programs that companies paid to send employees to.
Turned "community service" into community revenue.

Six months later:
• $500K in program fees generated
• 12 Black women instructors now paid $150/hour
• Zero burnout, maximum impact

The pastor called it a miracle.

I called it pricing our gifts properly.

Because even in sacred spaces, Black women's contributions have value. Our expertise doesn't become free because we're in the sanctuary. Our brilliance doesn't get discounted at the church door.

That $10K invoice? It was for the framework that generated the $500K.

They paid it. In full. On time.

Because transformation costs. Whether it's in boardrooms or church basements.

To every Black woman giving away her genius for "the cause":

Your cause needs funding.
Your gifts deserve compensation.
Your service has a price tag.

Even Jesus said the worker deserves their wages.

Start invoicing. Even your church.
Especially your church.

Because we can't pour from empty cups.
But we can invoice for the pitcher.

Thank You; It's True™

P.S. Three other churches just hired me to implement the same framework. $15K each. Turns out, sacred spaces everywhere need to learn how to value Black women's work. I'm teaching them. At market rate.

#BlackWomensWealthLab #InvoiceYourWorth #SacredAndPaid #ThankYouItsTrue

Founder & CEO, Black Women’s Wealth Lab™ | Closing the extraction gap for 1,000,000 Black women by 2040

Black background with white text quote reading 'Even Jesus said the worker deserves their wages.' Black Women's Wealth Lab logo appears at top in gold/yellow. Tagline underneath reads 'Economic justice for Black women who built the wealth.'

Lindsey Boggs ☕️

Glassbox

Leads and coaches a high-performing team in addition to all GTM Strategies and Enablement. Masterminds outbound strategies, iterating cadences and messaging to optimize lead generation.
Fosters seamless collaboration between SDRs and AEs, ensuring smooth handoffs and maximizing deal success. Cultivates top talent, implementing training programs on cold calling, research, social selling, video creation, and email mastery. Partners with Marketing to secure high-quality MQLs and execute impactful top-of-funnel initiatives. Champions operational excellence, collaborating with Revenue Ops to streamline processes and maintain data integrity.

Facilitates career growth for SDRs, unlocking opportunities and providing ongoing mentorship. Evaluates and manages tech resources, ensuring the team had the tools needed to excel. Inspires and motivates the Sales Development team, creating a vibrant and collaborative environment.

VP Sales Development & Enablement

WISE: Women in Sales Empowered

Our mission is to empower, educate and advocate for professionals to realize their full potential in technology sales. WISE is creating space and access to a world-class network and resources to help navigate career goals and aspirations.

Some years ago, Janae Bennett – a Sales Executive, leader, veteran, and mother, created a small networking group called WISE - Wo(men) in Sales Empowered. Janae started this network due to lacking representation and advocacy for minorities in tech sales. The WISE organization became a way to give back to her network as she realized the number of stories mirrored her own. Janae has always been a mentor to sales professionals navigating their way in this space. This network will open space to discuss career advancement, money management, balancing work with personal, and even more.

Leader

UNCrushed

UNCrushed is a platform and community for mental health awareness.

1 in 5 adults in America experience a mental illness, yet nearly 60% of adults with a mental illness don't receive mental health services.

Our mission is to raise awareness of the many mental health challenges faced and how people have overcome them. 

Many people around us are suffering from challenges such as grief, depression, addiction, burnout, anxiety and PTS, yet they remain nameless and faceless. 

Through people sharing their stories of experience, strength, and hope, our community will reassure you that you are not alone and no longer need to suffer in silence - there is a different path.

Only through talking about these challenges, can we help to break down the many stigmas associated with mental health.

Co-Founder and Board of Directors

Quantum Metric

Led and developed a world-class, highly motivated and passionate Sales Development organization. Led and motivated 3 highly effective world-class managers who lead 30+ Sales Development Representatives globally across the world. 

Partnered with Marketing, Enablement, the E-Team, Direct Sales and the Channel businesses to communicate, prioritize and action the highest impacting opportunities that drive pipeline and sales opportunity. Focused on data-driven activities to make decisions and impact results.

Responsibilities included hiring, coaching and developing and retaining top SDR leadership and SDR talent, building both tactical and strategic GTM plans focused on industries, geographies and influential personas to maximize the volume and value of first meets and early state pipeline creation. Led by example by pitching and supporting the team in achieving their goals by living up to the player/coach environment that aligns with Quantum Metric core values. Aligned closely with marketing campaigns and events, and built SDR prospecting strategies to help move marketing programs forward. Optimized call scripts, email pitches and other outreach to improve lead generation.

Managed prospecting tools and sales tech stack to ensure seamless integration with business and effectively used by the SDR team.

Global Director of Sales Development

Lucidworks

Led and responsible for building a growing and diverse global team of go-to-market Sales Development Representatives. Continued to evolve Sales Development organization to most effectively hit pipeline creation goals across all business units using all various types of prospecting tools. 

Analyzed pipeline data and to draw business insights. Made business decisions based on the data. Directly partnered with marketing and developed campaigns and collaborated on targeted events. 

Accountable for accurate forecast monthly, quarterly, and annually; establish and manage data and supporting metrics. Highly focused on building a team that grew into highly impactful Account Executives and leaders. Developed the next generation of diverse Lucidizens Sales and Leadership talent. 

Worked closely and collaborated with the executive team, sales leadership, sales enablement, marketing, revenue operations, Human Resources and Recruiting teams as key partners in hitting team goals. Owned regional annual planning, budget responsibility, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding execution. 

Proud to foster a healthy organizational culture and strong learning environment.

Citrix

Promoted to this role to continue social selling initiatives across the organization. Impacted various sales organizations at Citrix by implementing personal branding tactics as well as modern day selling techniques.

Senior Sales Development Manager

Pioneered social selling initiatives at Citrix and oversaw a sales development team. Led, developed, hired, and retained top talent by teaching modern day selling initiatives through social selling. Promoted  dozens of Sales Development Representatives to Territory Manager (Account Executive) role. 

Consistently provided feedback to ensure team was developing and learning, and ultimately being ready for their next promotion. Engaged with marketing partners to help build out personal and professional brands. Participated in college recruiting events across the nation to provide insight and feedback to attract top talent at both headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and the Raleigh, North Carolina office.

Additionally, participated in sales competitions around the world and presented at conferences on sales, leadership, and mental health. Passionate about diversity and women in leadership and participates in various podcasts around the globe.

Sales Development Manager - Branding Speaker, Social Selling Teacher, Coach

Responsible for creating and piloting a social selling program to over 250+ sales representatives to which a majority have adopted throughout Citrix on the small business and medium business teams. In addition, taught multiple departments personal branding tactics and techniques to grow their personal and professional brand on LinkedIn and other social channels.

Responsible for managing a team of direct sales representatives who were responsible for consistent attainment of sales targets and growth goals for managed verticals and line sizes. Participated in developing a strategic plan for small and medium businesses online to drive pipeline and exceed new business targets. Actively participated in cross-functional business unit planning initiatives such as product line group functions. Collaborated with organizations such as marketing, business development, and product to set strategies in place for overall business growth. Consistently identifying issues before they became issues, and driving their business to strong results. Responsible for attracting, developing, and growing top talent amongst the sales organization.

Sales Manager, Corporate Sales & #SocialSelling

Lindsey Boggs Consulting, LLC

Recognized for unique and effective outreach for prospecting through using LinkedIn. Featured by LinkedIn and named a "Top 100 Sales Professional of the World" in 2016. Featured presenter at LinkedIn's Sales Connect conference and shared a stage with Shaquille O'Neal. Additionally featured in articles and presentations with Forbes, and INC which helped propel the passion and desire to help others with social and modern day selling. Featured keynote speaker with Gary Vaynerchuk in 2016 for Cisco/Avnet conference.

Sales enablement and social selling have continued to be a passion and forte in working with sales organizations. Having a background in software sales enables a deep understanding of best practices for prospecting including social selling and the use of LinkedIn.

Companies worked with include: Oracle, LinkedIn, SAP, InterContinental Hotels Group, DHL, American Airlines, NetSuite, SkillSurvey, SparkPost, HotSchedules, and many others.

Please visit www.lindseyboggs.com for additional details.

Social Selling / Modern Day Selling Pioneer & Teacher

Honored to speak about the stigma of mental health and the aftermath of my nervous breakdown from my sister Melissa dying suddenly from a brain aneurysm.

TEDx Speaker

Outreach

Responsible for prospecting and generating pipeline which fostered pipeline management expertise. Conducted multiple discovery calls daily and turned them into pipeline. Nurtured pipeline and guided deals through the entire sales process. Unearthed, collected, and maintained the data needed for effective forecasting. Built trust and legitimacy with prospects and continually fostered relationships. Discovered challenges with prospects and connected them to the values of Outreach. Prospected high, wide and deep and found the right people, timelines, and initiatives to win customers. Collaborated with SDRs and pre-sales Solution Consultants to win customers together. Managed deals from conception to the final close of bringing them on as a customer. 

Used the Outreach platform daily and ran multiple campaigns to test open rates and response rates and shared wins with the entire organization. Led social selling classes to greater sales organization that are implemented to this day.

Account Executive

Medallia

Primarily targeted new business opportunities within assigned enterprise organizations assigned geographic territory. Researched and strategized target accounts by developing prospecting campaigns. Dove deep in understanding their business and the potential for business alignment. Went high-and-wide within enterprise organizations to understand the full scope of opportunity. Led entire sales cycle from initial opportunity creation to finalizing opportunity outcome; this included prospecting campaigns, driving the discovery process at meetings with both prospects and clients, forecasting, selling with value framework, and bringing on new customers to Medallia.

Sales Director

3X Salesforce Top Influencer | VP Sales Development & Enablement @ Glassbox | TEDx Speaker | Mental Health Advocate | Co-Founder @ UNCrushed.org

Childhood dreams don't always translate to adulthood, but the passion stays the same. I spent my youth mastering classical music, performing opera and piano from age 7 all the way through college. Today, my stage is different, but the thrill of captivating an audience remains.

There's a surprising synergy between opera and sales. The transition felt natural, and within months, my prospecting skills were flourishing.  Since then, I've become a recognized "social selling pioneer" in the software sales industry.

My achievements include features on LinkedIn, being named a Salesforce Top Influencer 4X, and recognition on Forbes' "30 under 30" list. I've even shared the stage with Shaquille O'Neal and Gary Vaynerchuk!  As a keynote speaker, I've inspired audiences at conferences, sales kickoffs, and universities worldwide.

Currently, I lead a global sales development team at Glassbox, where I leverage my experience to help them excel in sales and prospecting. Additionally, I oversee all enablement initiatives.

My proudest moments? Witnessing promotions earned by the talented professionals on my team.  Building and empowering a winning team is the ultimate reward.

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The Battle

Cynthia Barnes

Lindsey Boggs ☕️

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The Battle

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Lindsey Boggs ☕️

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Cynthia Barnes's LinkedIn Performance

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