Cindi Ptak is a bilingual, award-winning public policy and government affairs professional with over 30 years of experience in government and politics. She has a proven track record in team development, strategic planning, and federal funding strategies, making her an effective coalition builder dedicated to advancing common interests sustainably. As a successful project manager, Cindi consistently delivers projects on schedule and within budget, demonstrating her hands-on approach to leadership.

Before founding Hummingbird Collective Consulting, Cindi spent 12 years at the USDOT Federal Highway Administration, where she managed several discretionary grant programs and significantly increased federal awards to Indian tribes. Her experience includes overseeing the Tribal Transportation Program, providing technical assistance, and enhancing financial compliance for federal program funds. Most recently, she served as Arizona’s Economic Development Representative for the Economic Development Administration, where she facilitated economic recovery initiatives under the CARES Act and launched workshops to improve grant application success for tribal and state entities.

Currently, Cindi is the Ambassador for the Rio Reimagined initiative, working to revitalize communities along Arizona’s Salt and Gila rivers while serving as a liaison between local partners and the federal government. Her advocacy has also led to securing substantial funding for critical infrastructure projects, including a $25 million grant aimed at capping orphaned wells to combat climate change. With her expertise in federal funding, tribal relations, and her experience as a small business owner navigating a challenging economic climate, Cindi is a valuable resource for clients across sectors managing the complexities of the business cycle.