Cynthia Lin is the Chief of Staff for the Office of Participatory Budgeting. With a passion and dedication to public service, community engagement, and equity, Cynthia is currently spearheading efforts to implement Participatory Budgeting (PB) for the City of Boston. She is responsible for helping to develop and implement the Office’s strategic approach and planning efforts, cultivating collaborative partnerships with internal City staff and external community organizations, and is responsible for overseeing Office operations.

Drawing upon over a decade of experience in city and transportation planning across non-profit, private, and public sectors, Cynthia brings a wealth of expertise. Previously, she served as a Special Advisor to the Executive Office at the District of Columbia's Department of Transportation, where she was responsible for advising on several complex and high-profile initiatives, and has delivered numerous transportation projects and policies for the District. She focused on leading initiatives aimed at improving program and agency operations, productivity, and effectiveness working with several Department divisions. Before her tenure in DC, Cynthia honed her expertise in private consulting, where she researched and executed transportation planning best practices projects across the nation.

Cynthia's journey in public service began in the Boston metro region, where she engaged in community planning and health equity initiatives within non-profit and local government spheres. A native of the Boston area, Cynthia's roots deeply anchor her passion for enhancing civic engagement and fostering equitable access to resources and opportunities within her community. 

Cynthia is a first generation Chinese American. She lives in the North End and enjoys exploring for baked goods and off-setting them by biking around the City.