Cynthia Braden Gage, PhD, is an eminent educational leader with more than three decades of extensive experience. Her professional path began as a teacher with Jefferson County Schools in Alabama for more than 20 years before transitioning to the role of school administrator in 2009. Dr. Gage’s commitment to excellence in education earned her Second Mile Teacher Awards at Leeds High School and Leeds Middle School and a nomination for Teacher of the Year at McAdory High School.
In 2014, Dr. Gage was diagnosed with breast cancer, leading her to retire after a year of complications. However, she soon found herself drawn back into the field, joining a friend’s nonprofit group focusing on social-emotional learning. As the nonprofit’s director of professional development for two years, she played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s approach to education. Having even more to offer on her own ongoing journey, in 2019, Dr. Gage founded The Leadership Lens, Inc., in Alabama, where she is the chief executive officer, social-emotional learning specialist, culture coach, and public speaker as well as an author. Her company provides professional development to faculty and staff, focusing on social-emotional learning and leadership training. Further, Dr. Gage is a culture coach at the AlaQuest Center for Performance Excellence, Inc., and was the director of professional development and SEL team specialist at the AlaQuest Collaborative for Education.
In 2018, Dr. Gage earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration from Samford University in Alabama. Her academic journey also includes an educational specialist degree in instructional leadership and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the university after securing a Bachelor of Education in elementary education and teaching from Bryan College. Dr. Gage’s expertise in educational leadership, behavioral analysis, and fostering collaborative environments has been instrumental in her success. She is a nationally board-certified teacher, a John Maxwell certified coach and mentor, and a John Maxwell DISC behavior analyst. Her involvement with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning has further solidified her reputation as a lauded leader in the field. Dr. Gage’s dependability and open communication style have earned her the trust and respect of colleagues and clients alike. Her personable nature and willingness to go the extra mile have made her a beloved figure in the educational community, known for her ability to connect with students and parents and provide support that extends beyond the classroom.
Looking ahead, Dr. Gage envisions expanding her speaking engagements to a national level, completing her current book, and authoring additional publications with workshop curricula. She aims to empower others to become leaders who build other leaders, sharing her expertise at high school graduations, women’s organizations, and educational conferences. Outside of her professional life, Dr. Gage enjoys spending time with her family, snow skiing, singing, and playing the guitar and piano.