Built on love: Cynthia Banner’s journey to motherhood
HR leader Cynthia Banner reflects on the unconventional road to her daughter, Amani, and the "mama bear" spirit she brings to Driven Brands.
Cynthia Banner always knew she wanted to be a mother.
“If you were to ask me as a kid what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wouldn’t say a doctor or a lawyer—I would say a mom,” she said.
She wouldn’t have said HR leader, either, yet that is where life has taken her. Originally from Mississippi, Cynthia earned her B.S. in Psychology from Tuskegee University after originally declaring a pre-med major. That switch into psychology led her to a work-study position in the mailroom, where she tackled administrative tasks such as processing timesheets.
This would be the first spark of her dynamic career in Human Resources that spanned across the country before she landed in Charlotte, NC in 2020.
And she landed there for a specific reason: to join her husband-to-be and future daughter, Amani, who was already living in the area.
“When I first met my daughter, she was just one year old,” Cynthia recalled. “I remember meeting her for the first time at a family gathering, and when it was time for me to go, she cried and cried. It broke my heart, so I kept staying longer.”
Seven years and one wedding later, Cynthia, or “Mama Cyn” as Amani calls her, is still there and is living out her childhood dream of being a mom.
A mother’s heart
As the youngest of four and raised by a single mom, Cynthia knows firsthand the impact a mom can have.
“I could always feel my mother’s love,” Cynthia said. “No matter what, she made sacrifices to make sure we knew she loved us.”
Cynthia’s mother passed away from cancer right before Cynthia turned 18. But part of her lives on as Cynthia strives to pour the same unconditional love into Amani, who she and her husband share 50/50 custody with Amani’s mom. It’s an arrangement that requires constant communication and coordination but has ultimately brought Cynthia a sense of fulfillment that transcends biological labels.
“Every opportunity I get, I tell my daughter I love her. I’m giving her hugs and kisses constantly,” Cynthia said.
Bringing a "mama bear" spirit to HR
As a Senior Manager of HR Operations at Driven Brands, Cynthia often finds herself in mom mode at work, too.
“I work with a lot of entry-level HR team members, so I try to pour into them and mentor them the same way people poured into me,” Cynthia said. “Sometimes that means I can be a bit of a mama bear.”
Outside of supporting her immediate team, she finds many aspects of motherhood—being flexible, wearing different hats, listening empathically—apply to her role, too. Cynthia oftentimes finds herself speaking with people when they are at their most vulnerable, when their needs can vary depending on the situation.
“In HR, you have to wear multiple hats. Sometimes that means just listening or giving advice. And other times that means I have to take action,” she said.
Creating a legacy of love
Cynthia’s path to motherhood may not have been traditional, but the bond she shares with Amani reflects that families can be built by more than genetics; they can also be built through choice, presence, and intentionality.
“Amani made me realize that a child’s worlds are so small, and you are so big in it,” Cynthia reflected. “Because of that, you have to set aside time to make sure they know they are valuable. Once you have kids, your life is no longer just yours, it’s about them.”
