Cynthia Barnes

Founder and CEO

I spent 20 years building frameworks that made other people rich.

Sales methodologies that became "company best practices." Training programs that got renamed and rolled out without my name attached. Revenue strategies that showed up in Brad's promotion announcement while I got a 2.3% raise and a note about "executive presence."

I documented everything. Exposed the math. Calculated the extraction.

$847,000.

That's the average lifetime wage gap for a Black woman in corporate America. Not a metaphor. Not a feeling. An invoice that never got paid.

So I stopped asking for raises. Started building infrastructure.

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What I do now:

I build the sales architecture for Black women executives exiting corporate—so they can convert 20+ years of extracted expertise into high-ticket consulting contracts.

No pitching. No shrinking. No explaining your worth to people who've never had to prove theirs.

We don't coach. We build:
→ The offer that positions your expertise for C-Suite buyers
→ The pricing model that kills hourly rates forever
→ The proof assets that sell before you get on a call
→ The pipeline that fills your calendar without "networking"
→ The IP protection that ensures your frameworks stay yours

90 days. Proof to pipeline. Your expertise finally has your name on it.

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This is for you if:

↳ You've built frameworks inside companies that got attributed to someone else
↳ You left (or you're leaving) and you're done being the secret weapon
↳ You have 15-25 years of expertise but no language to sell it
↳ You're tired of courses that teach theory—you want assets built
↳ You understand that Brad isn't the problem; the system is—and you're ready to build outside of it

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This is NOT for you if:

↳ You're looking for mindset work, mantras, or manifestation
↳ You want someone to convince you your expertise has value
↳ You're still hoping the company will "finally see" you
↳ You need hand-holding through basic business decisions
↳ You think "putting yourself out there" is a strategy

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I'm not here to help you get a seat at their table.

I'm here to help you build your own—and send them the invoice.

The Exit Architecture™
Black Women's Wealth Lab™

Thank You; It's True.™

* 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.

Next Step Development Corporation

•	Successfully launched a real estate development company through market analysis, research, and education on affordable housing development. 
•	Established the strategy, messaging branding, and positioning in the nonprofit and real estate markets. 
•	Strategically plan and monitor long-term and short-term business, financial, and marketing goals. 
•	Developed a dynamic Board of Directors and Board of Advisors, enhancing governance and strategic oversight
•	Leverage community leaders, business executives, real estate executives, and government agencies to advance the mission of affordable housing programs, create partnerships for supportive services, and gain funding.

Chief Executive Officer

Eleven Canterbury, LLC

Eleven Canterbury is an agency representing a global network of vetted C-suite executives who have held senior positions within Fortune 500 companies. The agency’s ability to match its executive experts' knowledge and expertise with the specific needs of clients is unparalleled, whether in litigation consulting, C-suite placements, or board positions.

Executive Consultant

Grainger

• Led a team of Consultants in developing cost-saving programs using Lean and Change Management principles.
• Collaborated with Sales, Technology, and Supply Chain teams to provide insights on emerging trends.
• Implemented sustainable business practices to drive efficiency and increase productivity.

Senior Manager, Consulting Services (Retired)

• Analyzed existing procurement and inventory management processes of clients to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
• Developed project plans and supervised implementation for process effectiveness.
• Launched the healthcare consulting practice and served as a subject matter expert.

Consulting Manager

• Restructured sales process to a consultative approach, leading a district of 15 Account Managers in eastern North Carolina.
• Generated millions in profitable revenue growth year over year, achieving up to 20% increase over prior year.

District Sales Manager

I’m a mission-driven leader with 30+ years of experience driving growth, building strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing teams across sales, consulting, and nonprofit sectors.

Whether I’m scaling revenue, advising organizations on go-to-market strategy, or developing community-based housing solutions for vulnerable populations, I lead with empathy, purpose, and results. My career spans Fortune 500 companies, startups, and my own nonprofit work, giving me a unique lens on both business success and social impact.

I’ve also been a caregiver and healthcare advocate for multiple family members, which deepened my commitment to solving real-world problems in aging, housing, and access to care.

I’m currently open to expanding my reach with other opportunities in:

- Strategic Consulting

-  Nonprofit & Mission-Based Organizations

- Healthcare, Aging-Related Services or Mental Wellness

If you're looking for a seasoned leader who can connect vision to execution—and bring heart to the work—I’d love to connect.

taplio

The Battle

Cynthia Barnes

Wanda L. McArn

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