The American Red Cross will surely miss Cindy Rich Palmerino, director of the Women Infants & Children Program. Soon after her Forty Under 40 nomination, the 13-year ARC veteran left her post to move to Virginia.

In her four years as WIC director, Palmerino supervised more than 100 employees and expanded WIC’s partnerships within the community. One notable achievement was her role in creating a relationship between WIC and the military, resulting in increased awareness and participation by eligible enlisted families.

Another innovative partnership Palmerino forged was with the San Diego City School District Lunch Program. All WIC families’ children now automatically qualify for free school lunches.

A registered dietician and lactation consultant, Palmerino, 39, began a new electric breast pump loan program at the beginning of last year. Now more than 60 pumps are on loan free to mothers of premature and sick babies.

A triathlete, she is most pleased about developing a 5K walk/run race while at ARC.

Palmerino’s personal life has imitated her professional life. After working closely with military families, she now has left San Diego and her own career for her husband Brady’s military transfer. After working so closely with pregnant women and women with infants, she is expecting her first child in February. A self-proclaimed “workoutaholic,” she has been forced by her pregnancy to speed walk instead of run.

A Eucharistic minister in her church, Palmerino’s people skills have been a key to her success in business. “It’s important to be open,” Palmerino says, along with “being kind and looking for the good in people.”