JumpStart Inc. has named Cindy Torres Essell Chief Administrative Officer, bringing an experienced people and operations leader into a senior role that supports the nonprofit’s service to Ohio entrepreneurs and the communities that benefit when they succeed. Torres Essell joins JumpStart after serving as Chief People Officer at Heinen’s Inc.
“Cindy understands that culture and leadership are inseparable from performance,” says JumpStart CEO Lorne Novick. “She knows how to remove barriers, bring our team together and keep the organization focused on what entrepreneurs need from us.”
Torres Essell has built her career enabling organizations to get the best from their people and deliver results. Her experience as an attorney, executive coach and C-suite leader gives her a broad view of how organizations work and how people experience change. At JumpStart, she will apply that perspective across human resources, technology, legal and compliance, facilities and administrative operations.
Torres Essell previously served as chair of JumpStart’s Board of Directors.
“I’ve seen what JumpStart can do and the impact it has on our regional economy when more companies start and grow here,” Torres Essell says. “When this opportunity came up, I knew I could put the full range of my experience behind a mission I believe in and help make sure promising startups and small businesses across the region can access support that gets them further faster.”
Torres Essell began her career practicing labor and employment law before moving into senior leadership roles across corporations, financial institutions, law firms and higher education. She is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach and holds SPHR and SHRM-SCP credentials. Her honors include the YWCA Woman of Professional Excellence, an OnCon Top 50 HR Professional recognition and a Crain’s Cleveland Business Archer Award for Innovation in Organizational Development.
Torres Essell’s civic leadership includes service with Esperanza Inc., The Centers for Families and Children, The University of Akron HR Advisory Board, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Northeast Ohio Chapter and Rainey Institute. She earned a Juris Doctor from The University of Akron School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baldwin Wallace University.
“Cindy understands how to lead an organization effectively today while positioning it for what’s ahead,” Novick says. “Her leadership will allow our teams to adapt as entrepreneurs’ needs change and continue delivering the support they count on.”
Torres Essell begins her role October 19, 2026.
About JumpStart
JumpStart Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to drive economic vitality by connecting entrepreneurs to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed because when our entrepreneurs thrive, our communities benefit.
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