Cynthia Fortlage

Cynthia Fortlage (she/her) is a London-based global educator, consultant, and writer specialising in inclusive leadership. As Founder and CEO of The FORTLAGE Collective, she brings more than 30 years of executive and technology leadership experience to organisational transformation, helping leaders simplify complexity, design strategy, and shape cultures rooted in empathy, authenticity, and belonging.

Since 2017, Cynthia has supported more than 500 organisations in over 30 countries to adopt leadership practices that centre human rights, gender diversity, and intersectionality. Recognised with the 2024 Women in Digital Award for advocacy, she is an award-winning executive and pioneering LGBTQ+ leader known for her ability to translate lived experience into lasting organisational change.

Cynthia has served on the board of OutRight International, the United Nations secretariat on LGBTIQ issues, as well as leadership roles with Women’s March Canada and the Rainbow Resource Centre. She is also an active mentor, having guided more than 30 women through structured programmes worldwide.

In addition to her consulting and advisory work, Cynthia is the author of Mentor in a Minute and hosts the Holding It Both Ways podcast. Through The FORTLAGE Collective, she continues her mission to inspire one billion people to practise Acceptance Without Understanding™ by 2050.