​When Cyndi Gore stepped into her new role as Director of Juvenile Services and Chief Probation Officer for Collin County in July 2025, it was less a career pivot and more the culmination of a lifelong calling.

“I have worked in the Collin County Juvenile Justice System since 1999,” Gore said. “Helping kids put their mistakes behind them is a motto I have lived by as an attorney, judge, and now as Chief Probation Officer. Over the past 26 years, juvenile justice has become a passion. I realized that God has been leading me down this path all of my professional career, and this is where He has called me to be.”

That calling has been shaped by an unusually broad perspective. Gore began her career as an Assistant District Attorney for Collin County, later building a successful law practice focusing on criminal defense, before serving as the Presiding Judge of the Allen Municipal Court for more than eight years.

“By working in each of these positions, I have had the opportunity to see the juvenile justice system from every angle,” she explained. “Each role has its own priorities, and I’ve grown to understand how those priorities drive decisions. That understanding of how the system operates, and what motivates each participant, will help me lead our department and implement programs that better serve the youth of Collin County.”

A Vision Rooted in Community Connections

Gore’s first-year priorities reflect her belief that the juvenile justice system’s work doesn’t end at the courthouse door. She wants to strengthen community partnerships, expand resources for families, and foster collaboration across jurisdictions.

“My vision is to build on all of the great programs Chief Hadnot implemented during his tenure,” Gore said. “I want to identify community resources and then connect the families we serve with those resources. By doing so, we create wraparound services that continue to support families long after a child exits the system.”

She is also working with her predecessor, now in Dallas County, to launch a North Texas coalition between Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties. “The goal is to identify and implement new programs across the Metroplex to better serve our youth,” she said. Another priority: meeting with every law enforcement agency in Collin County to develop stronger relationships, seek input, and streamline case filing and detention admission processes.

Leading with Honesty and Respect

At the core of Gore’s approach is a simple philosophy: trust is earned through sincerity.

“As a juvenile attorney and judge, I learned that trust with youth and families comes from being honest with them about every aspect of their case,” she said. “Even when we didn’t agree, treating them respectfully and showing that I cared about the outcome made a difference. It’s no different for a Juvenile Probation or Detention Officer. I believe in leading by example.”

Prevention Through Partnership

For Gore, collaboration with schools, law enforcement, and community organizations is not just a best practice — it’s essential.

“If we can develop diversionary programs to identify at-risk youth before a formal case is filed, we can often address the root issues leading to criminal conduct,” she said. “The fewer kids who enter the juvenile justice system, the better it is for everyone.”

Life Beyond the Office

Away from work, Gore embraces travel, service, and a deep connection to the outdoors. The beach is her “happy place,” but if she can’t make it to the coast, a lake or pool will do. She and her husband, Chuck, enjoy road trips that can stretch over 4,000 miles, exploring new destinations both abroad and across the United States.

Her passion for mentorship extends beyond the office. Two years ago, she began teaching girls in the juvenile detention center’s long-term program how to crochet. “We untie knots both figuratively and literally,” she said with a smile. “Working with the girls feeds my soul.”

For the past 13 years, she and Chuck have led mission teams from their church to the southern coast of Belize, serving a school and four churches. “The relationships we’ve built and the impact we’ve made there are among our greatest blessings,” she said.

Gore is also an avid upland bird hunter, often accompanied by her two rescued German Shorthaired Pointers. Raised on a Kansas farm, she enjoys gardening and caring for the many plants that brighten her office.

Family as Foundation

Gore credits much of her professional success to her faith and her family. She and Chuck, who retired this year after nearly 36 years in law enforcement — including 29 years serving the citizens of Highland Park — have been married for 28 years. They have two adult daughters: one living and working in San Antonio, and the other attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

“The success of my professional career lies at the feet of God and my family,” Gore said. “Their love and support have been constant through every chapter of my journey.”

As she steps into her new leadership role, Gore brings with her a career’s worth of experience, a heart for service, and an unwavering belief in second chances for young people. For Collin County, that means a future where justice is balanced with compassion, and where every youth has the opportunity to write a better next chapter.