Board Ready: Cynthia Grande on Owning Your Voice and Making Space for Change
For Cynthia Grande, leadership isn’t a matter of free time. It’s about stepping up when her voice is needed. As an attorney, business owner, and community leader, she already had a full plate when the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees for the California State Bar came up.
She said yes because she saw a chance to influence the system that shapes her profession. Instead of staying on the sidelines and questioning decisions, she chose to be in the room where those decisions are made.
From First-Generation Dreams to Founding a Law Firm
The daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Cynthia grew up in San Pedro with a deep appreciation for hard work and community. Those lessons guided her decision to become a lawyer and, just two years after earning her license, to open The Grande Law Firm, serving immigrant families.
“I wanted to make a difference for families like mine,” she says. “My parents taught me that when you see something that needs changing, you don’t complain, you get involved.”
That same mindset ultimately led her to public service.
From Critic to Change Maker
Before joining the State Bar’s board, Cynthia admits she was often frustrated with how decisions were made.
“I used to ask, ‘Why are they doing this?’ But then I realized—I am ‘they.’ If I want things to change, I need to be in the room.”
Encouraged by HOPE and the Latina Appointments Collaborative, she applied through the statewide appointments process. With their guidance, what initially felt intimidating became achievable.
“Through the support of HOPE, the fear and the unknown went away. It was simpler than I thought because I wasn’t doing it alone.”
Balancing Work, Family, and Service
Cynthia’s story speaks to every working professional who hesitates to take on one more responsibility. She credits planning, communication, and support—both at home and at work—with making it possible.
“Everyone around me knows why I do this. My team, my husband, my family, they know it’s about contributing to something bigger than myself.”
Her experience on the board has deepened her appreciation for collaboration, transparency, and empathy in leadership. Whether reviewing legal memos late at night or joining an emergency meeting from a conference in D.C., she stays grounded by returning to her why.
Representation and Responsibility
As a Latina immigration attorney, Cynthia brings distinct and valuable experience to the legal field.
“Only 2 percent of California attorneys practice immigration law,” she notes. “When I speak up, I represent an entire community that is rarely heard.”
Her contributions have helped colleagues better understand gaps in representation within the legal system and consider whose voices may be missing from the conversation.
Championing Others and Building the Pipeline
For Cynthia, leadership isn’t just about taking a seat, it’s about pulling up chairs for others.
“When I see an opportunity, I immediately think, ‘Who else could benefit from this?’ We have to champion each other into these roles.”
She encourages other working Latinas to overcome hesitation by starting with small actions like signing up for the Latina Appointments Collaborative, attending a training, or mentoring another woman interested in public service.
“If not you, then who?” she asks. “Our voices are needed more than ever.”
About the Series
Board Ready: A Guide to Public Service is produced by the Latina Appointments Collaborative, a project of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). The series highlights real stories from Latina leaders serving across California’s boards and commissions—and offers practical advice for those ready to follow their lead.
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