Cynthia Faulkner

Vice President of Northern Light Health and President of Northern Light Health Foundation

Cynthia Faulkner is a philanthropy and public affairs leader with more than three decades of experience driving transformational giving and advancing missions that strengthen health, education, and community well-being.

As president of the Northern Light Health Foundation, Cynthia provides strategic leadership for systemwide philanthropy across ten member organizations, including nine hospitals and Northern Light Home Care & Hospice. She leads efforts that align donor investment with Northern Light Health’s most critical priorities including expanding access to care, advancing innovation, and improving health outcomes for people across Maine.

Born and raised in Maine, Cynthia is deeply connected to the communities Northern Light Health serves. Her leadership has delivered measurable results through successful capital and endowment campaigns, growth in major and principal giving, and a stronger culture of philanthropy across the system.

Earlier in her career, Cynthia served as director of public affairs at a global communications and consulting firm advising corporate and nonprofit leaders on philanthropy, social impact, and reputation strategy. She began her career on Capitol Hill and later served as a senior aide to the U.S. Secretary of Defense.  These experiences built the foundation for her collaborative, mission-driven approach to philanthropy and her ability to align people, purpose, and results.

Cynthia has also partnered with national philanthropic organizations including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to advance initiatives promoting health equity and opportunity. Guided by a deep belief in the power of philanthropy to create lasting change, she continues to champion strategic giving that strengthens Northern Light Health and the communities it serves.

She is a graduate of the University of Maine and a member of United Way of Southern Maine Campaign Cabinet, Women United Steering Committee, Portland Museum of Art Contemporaries Council, and the Maine Public Relations Council Board of Directors.