Cindy Kent: A Life Authentic

By Dana Johnson

President & General Manager 3M Infection Prevention Division LEAD360 Magazine’s Executive of the Year

Authentic. Visionary. Inspirational.

Distilled to her very essence, these are three words coworkers use to describe Cindy Kent, President and General Manager of the Infection Prevention Division at 3M—just what one would expect from LEAD360 Magazine’s Executive of the Year.

In selecting the recipient of this honor, LEAD360 conducts a comprehensive review that assesses candidates on five criteria: 1) a record of driving success in challenging markets; 2) courageous leadership; 3) outstanding commitment to bold sponsorship in creating other leaders; 4) willingness to be an accessible mentor; and 5) passion for community building as demonstrated through active service.

Cindy Kent takes these five characteristics, designed to complement and further the mission of the National Leadership Consortium, to the highest tier simply by living a life of authenticity, integrity, and humility.

“I’ve never compared myself to or competed against anyone else. My goals were always very personal, with the mission of being my personal best and living out my purpose,” says Kent.

Her remarkable career path and ensuing business success is exceptional. Her practice of living out loud a principled, spiritual life is exemplary. Yet the most striking feature about her is that Cindy Kent is Cindy Kent, no matter the situation. In the boardroom, the office, the community, the same woman shows up to put her stamp on the project at hand and lead in the way only she can.

LEAD360 Magazine | page 29