The Adaptive Leader Program

Cindy has more than 25 years of leadership experience managing teams of 20 employees up to several hundred employees in size. Her experience is focused primarily as a senior human resources leader with additional expertise in operations and business management. Cindy is currently the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition and Employee Development for Elbit Systems of America in Fort Worth Texas. Prior to her role at Elbit, she was the Vice President of Human Resources at the Options Clearing Corporation and was previously a Senior Vice President at AmeriCredit. Her depth of expertise in the human resources function includes talent acquisition, employee relations, HR systems, organization development, culture, business partnerships, training, and total rewards. She has developed a multitude of learning and development programs targeted at individual, team, and organizational development. Cindy is also a partner in her family’s agricultural business based in the Fort Worth area.

She holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and Master’s in Human Resources Management from Dallas Baptist University. From the same university, she is currently a PhD candidate in Leadership Studies, basing her research on the confidence of women leaders who work in male-dominated organizations. She is certified in 360^o degree feedback from the Center for Creative Leadership, certified in Hogan Assessments, and is a certified coach from the International Coaching Federation.

Dr. Matthew Hirst is a senior human resources, organizational development, and learning leader, talent strategist, coach, HR and talent consultant, university instructor, and organizational psychologist. He has over 25 years of mid- to senior-level experience in business operations, employee relations, organizational readiness, talent planning, organizational communications, and leadership development, mostly within Fortune 500 retail and financial services organizations. He currently serves as vice president of organizational and talent development for First Command Financial Services, Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Matt has a PhD in psychology. He has also studied doctoral-level educational leadership, has a master’s degree in management, and undergraduate degrees in management and finance. Matt teaches organizational behavior, contemporary management issues, organizational management, and HR strategy at UT Arlington and Texas Christian University.

Matt and his family live in Fort Worth, Texas. Matt served on the board of directors for the Grief and Loss Center of North Texas for five years, and he served five years as a board executive and president for ATD Dallas. He currently serves on the MSHRM advisory board for The University of Texas at Arlington, the EMBA advisory board at Texas Christian University, and the policy advisory board for the Northwest Independent School District. His community service also includes adoption advocacy and support, and he and his family have done dog and cat rescue and foster work for many years.