Cynthia Heckmann

Cynthia Heckmann is a former Project Director and current fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Ms. Heckmann has extensive "hands on" experience in managing a wide range of administrative functions and implementing significant change management initiatives focused on improving efficiency, effectiveness, customer service, and employee engagement. In addition, she has led studies analyzing myriad programs and administrative functions. She previously served as Project Director on NAPA’s reviews of the Office of Personnel Management's statutory and non-statutory functions, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s study and administrative processes, the Secret Service’s organizational change efforts, the National Science Foundation’s use of cooperative agreements in support of large-scale research facilities and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, as well as leading the Center for Disease Control’s human resource process review. Her extensive career at the Government Accountability Office includes serving as the Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) and Deputy Chief Information Officer. Ms. Heckmann also has executive branch experience, as well as state government experience. Ms. Heckmann served as a strategic advisor on research studies for the Partnership for Public Service and is currently a CHCO SAGE—Strategic Advisor for Government Executives—for the Partnership. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts from Simmons College. She also attended the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Yale University’s School of Organization and Management.