### Company Overview & Leadership
Cynuria is a woman-owned management consulting firm [14] specializing in human capital and professional development solutions [12]. Operating for nearly 10 years [1], the firm delivers tailored strategies across the commercial, federal, and nonprofit sectors [1], focusing on learning and development, human capital strategy, and inclusive workplace design [4]. The organization utilizes a human-centered design methodology defined by the pillars of Connect, Inspire, and Transform [8]. The company’s growth is guided by core values including empathy, clarity, and purposeful design [4].
The firm maintains a remote-first structure, empowering employees to work from any location where they feel productive and inspired [3]. This organizational approach is supported by high internal metrics, including a 98% employee satisfaction score [3]. Employees consistently identify "Collaboration" as the defining keyword of the company culture [3].
Houri Tamizifar serves as the Owner of Cynuria [4]. Ms. Tamizifar, a first-generation immigrant, founded the firm with a vision prioritizing staff wellbeing alongside work quality [6].
Cynuria’s expertise spans multiple industry sectors and key service domains: * **Primary Industry Sectors:** Education & professional development, Energy & environment, Financial services, Healthcare & life sciences, Manufacturing & transportation, Military & veteran services, Regulatory & advocacy, and Technology [1]. * **Key Service Domains:** Learning services (strategy, design and development, analysis and evaluation, compliance and management) and Human capital services (talent development, organizational development, performance support and assessment, and program and event design) [1].
### Federal Market & Contracts
Cynuria is a woman-owned small business (WOSB) established in 2016 and based in Rockville, MD, specializing in human capital and professional development solutions for the federal government, commercial, and nonprofit sectors [[LINK:https://www.cynuriaconsulting.com/vendor-rfp-brand][1], [LINK:https://www.cynuriaconsulting.com/s/Responses-to-Vendor-Inquiry-Questions-03072024.pdf][2]]. The firm maintains a strong federal presence, generating leads largely through client recommendations and federal agency procurement forecasts [3]. The firm executes transformative human capital solutions, with a specialty in talent development services such as learning, coaching, organizational development, and leadership [6]. Cynuria has successfully translated wide-ranging requirements into meaningful solutions for clients across all sectors for nearly 10 years [[LINK:https://www.cynuriaconsulting.com/vendor-rfp-brand][7], [LINK:https://www.cynuriaconsulting.com/][8]].
The company recently earned recognition as a finalist in the Digital Acquisition Professional Program Case Study Challenge, hosted on Challenge.gov, for its human-centered approach to navigating complex federal acquisition stakeholder challenges [5].
Cynuria has delivered several notable programs for federal clients: * **Key Federal Clients:** Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Federal Highway Administration, GSA, US Government Accountability Office, Peace Corps, and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia [4]. * **Affirmative Action Program (AAP) Training:** Developed a self-paced, five-hour eLearning course, launched in April 2020, to instruct federal contractors and subcontractors nationwide on creating and maintaining compliant AAPs [[LINK:https://cynuria.com/resources/success-stories/training-helps-federal-contractors-build-meaningful-and-compliant-programs][10], [LINK:https://cynuria.com/services][11]]. * **Executive Coaching (Armed Forces):** Provided executive coaching services to the Senior Executive Service (SES) team within a Branch of the Armed Forces, resulting in 96% renewed engagements [12]. The engagement delivered over 250 hours of coaching support for approximately 30 civilian Senior Executives in FY20 [12]. * **Compliance Officer Testing:** Created and validated tests for a government agency to ensure compliance officers consistently applied requirements and provided reliable information during audits, addressing inconsistencies identified in an OPM report [13].
The executive coaches supporting the SES program maintained high professional standards: * Coaches held International Coach Federation (ICF) certification and possessed 20+ years of experience working as executives in civilian and defense agencies [12]. * Coaches also held additional industry-recognized certifications, including the Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) certificate and the Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University [12].
### Certifications & Socioeconomic
Cynuria Consulting is a woman-owned small business (WOSB) [1] based in Rockville, MD [1]. Founded in 2016 [2], the firm celebrated its ninth anniversary in February 2025 [3]. The firm currently maintains 11 employees and leverages a network of more than 40 functional experts [1]. The organization operates as a proudly remote-first company [2].
The firm emphasizes professional excellence and staff well-being. Cynuria requires candidates for the Senior DEIA Specialist role to be United States Citizens and eligible to obtain a public trust clearance [12].
Cynuria’s status and professional certifications include: * **Socioeconomic Status:** Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) [1]. * **Professional Certifications:** Executive coaches hold International Coach Federation (ICF) certification, the Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) certificate, and the Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University [13]. * **Staff Benefits:** Robust benefits package incorporating remote work, 401(k), a Fitness and Wellness Program, Paid Extended Winter Holidays, Paid Time Off, and a Flexible Work Schedule [4].
### Recent News & Recognition
Cynuria achieved significant recognition in 2025, securing its position as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies and earning its third major recognition for the year [1]. The company’s commitment to its workforce is evidenced by its highly organized, yet flexible, environment, which remains responsive to external factors such as government structural changes and the accelerating pace of AI integration [5].
The firm’s recent awards and notable achievements highlight its growth and internal culture: * **Inc. 5000 Ranking:** Achieved the No. 2502 ranking on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies [1]. * **Regional Rankings (2025 Inc. 5000):** Ranked No. 154 in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria region, No. 57 in Maryland, and No. 227 in the business products and services category [1]. * **Workplace Recognition:** Named an Inc. Best Workplace in 2025 [4]. * **Project Award:** Won the H5P Community Choice Award for a learning project focused on transforming "Return to office" expectations into a learning adventure [13]. * **Acquisition Recognition:** Named a finalist in the Digital Acquisition Professional Program Case Study Challenge hosted on Challenge.gov [7].
Internal metrics and strategic developments underscore the firm's operational success: * **Client Success:** Maintains an 81% repeat client rate and a 77% referral rate [17]. * **Employee Satisfaction:** Achieved a 98% employee satisfaction score based on a comprehensive third-party survey for the Inc. Best Workplace award [5]. * **Employee Engagement:** Reported 100% employee engagement and 100% employee belief that senior leaders value people as their most important resource [5]. * **Operational Model:** Operates as a permanent remote-first company, empowering employees to work from any location [5]. * **Coaching Scale:** Delivered a modernized executive coaching program for Senior Executive Service leaders, utilizing over 15 ICF-certified coaches, providing more than 1,800 hours of individual coaching and 250 hours of team coaching [9].