Cynthia Pollard

Helping drive constructive conversations on arguably one of the most important conversations in California is Cynthia Pollard’s mission. “With a team of incredibly talented people, my work is aimed at helping Californians understand California’s energy policies and the role oil and gas plays in their everyday lives,” says Pollard. “It’s cliché to talk just about transportation fuels. The oil and gas industry in general, and Aera specifically, are vital to the local and state economy. It is key to helping Californians thrive and the state achieve its bold climate goals. What takes place in oil and gas production is complex, very heavily regulated, and not always an easy conversation with people who would like to see oil and gas go away. We’re trying to change that.” At Aera, Pollard is responsible for external communications and community relations. It’s a role made enjoyable by “the can-do nature of the men and women of Aera” and “the corporate values Aera people live daily,” the Bakersfield native says. Before joining Aera in 2014, Pollard served as president and CEO of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. She has also held positions with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Bakersfield College, Kaiser Permanente and the Walt Disney Corporation. From 1993 to 2009, Pollard’s public relations firm served a broad spectrum of clients in the private and public sectors. Pollard earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Southern California. In addition, she holds a crisis communications certification from the Institute for Crisis Management and is trained in the nationwide Incident Command System. Pollard has served on the boards and committees of numerous community organizations.