2023 Women to Watch Awards Americas EMEA
Cynthia Garcia Chief risk officer
Bernards Brothers Inc.
San Fernando, California
Cynthia Garcia enjoys working in risk management, but what she loves even more is the opportunity to coach other diverse professionals looking to break into the insurance field.
“I’m just really focused on paying it forward and creating opportunities for other women and minorities to have a seat at the table and to make sure I’m doing my part to not only be a mentor but a sponsor and an ally,” she said.
Ms. Garcia has more than 25 years of experience in construction risk management in Southern California. She previously served as the vice president of risk management for Santa Monica-based Morley Builders and in a similar role at Anaheim-based KHS&S Contractors. She began her current position with Bernards in March 2022.
“I love what I do,” she said. “To me, risk management is really about effective change management organizationally and helping drive a culture of excellence.”
Ms. Garcia, who was born in South Korea and lived there until she was 4, also serves on Bernards’ diversity, equity and inclusion committee and mentors “talented, up-and-coming next-gen leaders,” including many from immigrant families.
“It’s been very rewarding because I’m an immigrant, and English is my second language,” she said.
Outside of work, Ms. Garcia and her husband are working to start up a nonprofit foundation to help young people of limited means enter the professional world.
“What I want to do is help break down barriers and bring opportunities to level the playing field,” she said.
Kelly Bluhm, a Houston-based market leader with Aon PLC, has known Ms. Garcia for the past 20 years.
“One of the things that strikes me most about Cynthia is that she actually reads policies in depth,” Ms. Bluhm said. “Because she does the homework, her questions are always deeper.”
“But the thing that’s she’s really committed to and she’s really passionate about is bringing along the next generation and doing so with intent around diversity and inclusion. Her teams are always very diverse.”
Jon Campisi
