An Alabama native, Cindy Cooper received her bachelor's degree from Auburn University and joined Southern Progress Corporation as a magazine designer in 1979. During her subsequent career within Southern Progress and Oxmoor House, Inc., she led creative teams in the publication of various books and magazines, including Cooking Light, Southern Living, Weight Watchers, and Coastal Living. After joining Hoffman Media, Cindy directed the editorial team of Cooking with Paula Deen before overseeing the launch of The Cottage Journal.