Cynthia Burks

Cynthia Burks is the Chief People and Culture Officer for Genentech, a member of the Roche Group. In this role, she leads the company’s efforts to attract, develop and retain the brightest minds in the biotech industry and ensure Genentech remains the employer of choice for over 13,500 employees. An innovative leader, Cynthia brings system-thinking, strong analytical skills and expertise in all areas of human-capital strategy -- talent management; culture; diversity, equity and inclusion; organizational design -- to her work. She is focused on exploring and implementing flexible ways of working that maximize both individual and organizational performance. In addition to leading the People and Culture team, Cynthia is an executive sponsor of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion board and the Women’s Professional Network at Genentech. She is a member of the Genentech Executive Committee and serves as a board member of the Genentech Foundation, the Bay Area Council, Summer Search Bay Area Region and Friends of Dogpatch Hub. Cynthia joined Genentech in 2010 as a senior HR business partner supporting the Pharma Technical organization, taking on increasingly senior roles in the global group over time. Before assuming her current position, she was vice president, Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED) HR, and a member of the Roche Group HR Leadership Team. Prior to joining Genentech, Cynthia worked in a variety of industries, including media, consumer goods and technology, as both a consultant and HR leader. She served as vice president of HR for The San Francisco Chronicle and led organizational development teams at ON Semiconductor and The Arizona Republic. Cynthia earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance from Marquette University, a Master of Business Administration in International Business from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a Juris Doctor from University of San Francisco School of Law. She is also a licensed attorney in California.