Cynthia Muller

Cynthia Muller is the director, mission investments, at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, based out of Battle Creek, Michigan. In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing strategic impact investment activities that address systemic barriers that create vulnerable conditions for historically marginalized communities and children. Her work includes sourcing and deploying market-rate investments to increase social change impact; ongoing analysis of solutions and trends; developing relationships within the field; fostering alliances with community, corporate, government and philanthropic partners; and supporting the overall direction and implementation of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s strategic framework.

Prior to joining the foundation, Muller developed and managed Arabella Advisors impact investing practice where she helped foundations and individuals understand the field of impact investing and developed strategies and structure investments to accomplish their social and environmental goals. During her tenure she oversaw deal sourcing and structuring of investments in health, education, microfinance, housing and green technology—both domestically and internationally. Muller also led several evaluations of impact investment portfolios, and she regularly presented and blogged about trends and practices within the field.

Muller previously led strategic initiatives at Capital Impact Partners, where she developed and managed impact investments and worked on nationally focused investment funds and initiatives targeting health, food, education, energy efficiency and economic development. Cynthia serves on the boards of Groundswell and Enterprise Community Loan Fund.

Muller holds a Master of Business Administration from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanford University. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.