Cindy has lived in south Minneapolis for over 25 years. She first came to Minneapolis in 1977 to attend the Minnesota School of Business, where she graduated with a secretarial and office degree. She worked in Downtown Minneapolis for 13 years in a variety of office positions for Resource Trust Co, The Pillsbury Co., and Henry Birks Jewelers.

She has been married to Charlie Sawyer for 25 years, and they have been attending First Free Church for 15 years. They have two teenage children, Steve and Emily.