Cynthia Kao

2X Tech Founder, and Executive Director of Operation Code

Cynthia Kao is the Executive Director of Operation Code, and 2X tech founder and CEO. She was also a documentary filmmaker and a contributing writer at Forbes Magazine. She served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a Public Affairs Specialist, deploying twice overseas, and served as an active duty military spouse for 15 years. Cynthia is also the mother of a service-disabled Veteran son. She spent the first 15 years of her career as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the non-profit sector, specializing in trauma, addiction and resilience therapy. Cynthia exited her first startup, as an interactive multimedia and innovative digital media founder after 10 years in the Fall of 2022.

Today, she runs an early-stage health-tech startup, named Rebirth Innovation, focused on organizational health, employee assistance programs, preventing burnout and creating thriving work cultures.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Cynthia now calls the D.C./Northern Virginia region home and enjoys advocating for the military community and mental-health awareness. In her spare time, she serves her community as a volunteer Paramedic, enjoys outdoor sports, spending time with her three grown children and her Russian Blue cat named Chairman Meow.