About Cynthia Yoder
Cynthia has worked for 25 years in the writing and communications industry. In addition to writing three books, her stories appear in such places as NJ Monthly, ADDitudeMag.com, LadyBug, and in the collection, Just Moms: Conveying Justice in an Unjust World.
She’s written features and website content for world-class institutions, including Princeton University, Bristol Myers-Squibb, and New York’s landmark Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
She’s worked as a purpose coach as well as communications consultant for numerous leaders, entrepreneurs and others for well over a decade.
A Life-Long Dedication to Writing and Instruction
Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite family, Cynthia noticed there was a lack of folk stories from her culture. While reading Zora Neal Hurston in a graduate literature class at Columbia University, she got inspired to change this. She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Sarah Lawrence College, where author Barbara Probst Solomon became her mentor. This led to the publication of Crazy Quilt Pieces of a Mennonite Life. It is one of the first modern memoirs published by a Mennonite-born woman.
Following the publication of Crazy Quilt, Cynthia gave talks at places like Princeton University, Yale School of Divinity, the American Association of University Women, and Barnes and Noble. Her coaching work led her to publish a self-help book, Divine Purpose: Find the Passion Within. Although she parted ways with the Mennonites, her writing continues to explore her experience with this community. Her novel, Mennonite on the Edge: An Unlikely Romance, explores relationships and place.
Cynthia established herself as a professional writer and editor in serving as the Communications Director at New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine in the mid-1990’s. She has decades of experience in freelance writing, editing and providing feedback to fellow writers. She’s taught classes at Westchester Community College (SUNY), Bluffton University, OH, and Mercer County Community College, NJ. She tutored graduate students on thesis writing at Sarah Lawrence College. She won several student awards and scholarships for her non-fiction writing.
Engaging with Writers and Entrepreneurs: A Note from Cynthia
In 2021, I launched my writing coaching and editing programs to support writers in fulfilling their dreams. I love working with writers on their books, blogs, and other projects over time.
I also work as a communications consultant for my husband, Jonathan Shenk’s, eco-friendly painting company, Greenleaf Painters, LLC. Jonathan founded his company in 2006, which now employs 15 skilled craftsmen and a dynamic, four-person leadership team. We often talk shop — the joys and challenges of running an independent business — together and with our son, Gabe, who is both a high school English teacher and leader of the indie rock band, Sonoa!
I’m a member of the Editorial Freelance Association, and I serve as the primary purveyor of treats to our family’s diva, Maggie the Maltipoo.