For over 15 years, I’ve honed a set of core skills that reflect more than what I’ve done, but also how I work — with care, creativity, and a deep commitment to authentic, social connection.
Core Competencies
- Strategic Planning & Process Design: Comprehensive planning, public engagement, systems documentation and optimization
- Project & Event Management: Multi-sector coordination, budget oversight, timeline development, authentic team engagement
- Facilitation & Training: Group facilitation across social differences, trauma-informed conflict navigation, consensus building
- Communications & Advocacy: Policy translation to broad audiences, diverse community outreach, legislative liaison work
Professional Experience
University of Michigan – Center for Research on Learning & Teaching in Engineering
Project & Event Manager | Feb. 2023 – Present
Managing projects and events for engineering education center serving 700+ teaching faculty and hundreds of student instructors each semester.
- Led digital accessibility overhaul: 120+ files remediated to federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
- Co-led coordination for 20th anniversary event: budget, venue, multimedia production including a storytelling campaign
- Initiated internal process improvements through “How We Work” committee and co-led multiple staff retreats learning experiences
GivePulse Inc.
Special Projects & Events Lead | Jan. – Dec. 2022
Event and campaign coordination for civic engagement platform.
- Led first Virtual Volunteer Week video campaign
- Co-produced Juneteenth video campaign series
- Planned the first Showcase & Impact Awards Ceremony
- Led national Giving Tuesday campaign
Albion College
Assistant Director, Special Projects | April – August 2021 (Contract)
Project management for Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Classifications Central Office.
- Supported the advancement of the Carnegie-Rice partnership for the new elective classification for Leadership for Public Purpose
- Introduced and maintained advanced data management tools, including the Open Science Framework, to streamline data requests and cross-institutional collaboration
- Managed administrative leadership to support both established and prospective classified institutions of higher education and convening organizations in U.S., Canada, and Australia
- Co-authored 13 evaluation reports for Canadian Community Engagement pilot cohort
- Coordinated University-Community Engagement track for the 2021 Talloires Network Leaders Conference
Community Economic Development Association of Michigan
Community Development Fellow | Dec. 2018 – Dec. 2019
Capacity-building for economic revitalization in Albion, MI.
- Secured $50K Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) grant for neighborhood enhancement
- Led community branding process engaging 50+ community leaders to provide 200+ volunteer hours that guided a process culminating in a 75-page portfolio of design assets and narratives for local organizations.
- Managed technical assistance deliverables including communications planning and Downtown Development Authority comprehensive plan updates
- Coordinated workforce development and strategic action planning committee
Albion-Marshall Resilient Communities Project (AMRCP)
Project Lead | Jul 2017 – Jan 2019 (Part-time)
Community engagement on racial equity and education following public school annexation.
- Managed public outreach and coordinated event series engaging 120+ residents using the arts, film, field trips, cook outs, and critical community conversations including affinity groups
- Led recruitment and logistics for the production of ‘A Common Thread’ documentary, premiered at Wolf Tree film festival
- Co-created Albion’s first Financial Empowerment Fair with 14 partner organizations to offer asset-building resources to 100+ people
- Organized local participation in The New York Public Theater’s Midwest tour of ‘Sweat’ and Story Circle training events
Build Albion AmeriCorps VISTA Initiative
VISTA Member, Education Team Lead | 2016 – 2017
Anti-poverty programming and cross-sector partnership development.
- Launched weekend food program at Marshall Middle School
- Interviewed superintendents across seven districts on educational collaboration to support our student spread across the region
- Led community outreach for the Albion-Marshall Resilient Communities Project
- Co-created community needs assessment to document and better understand the root causes of poverty in Albion
Michigan Department of Transportation
General Office Assistant – Director’s Office | Feb. 2014 – June 2015
Executive support during 2014-2015 road funding campaign.
- Communications liaison between the Governor’s Office, legislature, state agencies, internal units, and the public
- Coordinated logistics for the Director’s travel and speaking engagements including legislative testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation for an increase in road funding
- Supported policy analysis and strategic communications with a variety of audiences
Student Assistant – Civil Rights Program Unit | July 2012 – Feb. 2014
Civil rights compliance for federal nondiscrimination requirements.
- Redesigned Title VI plan review process and doubled approval rate within first six months
- Managed compliance correspondence with local public officials
- Analyzed state and national datasets to comprehensively update the unit’s database and ensure municipal entities receiving federal funding made their Title VI Plan easily accessible online
- Presented to Grand Ledge City Council on Limited English Proficiency and Environmental Justice requirements
Civic Leadership
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Michigan
Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) | 2024
Facilitator – Local Officials & Train the Trainer Programs | 2023-2024
– Statewide DEI vision development, facilitation training delivery, bystander intervention and inclusive recruitment workshops
City of Albion
City Council Member (Elected) | 2020-2022
– Comprehensive planning leadership, continuous public engagement, data-driven decision-making and social determinants of health advocacy
Build Albion Fellows, Albion College
Steering Committee – Community Representative | 2018-2021
– Workshop facilitation, community-college liaison, student project guidance
Certified Tourism Ambassador Program
Ambassador & Instructor | 2018-Present
– Community training on regional assets, cross-community engagement, economic development
Education
MA, Community Development | University of Detroit Mercy | 2018-2020
Completed while working full-time
BA, Interdisciplinary Social Science | Michigan State University | 2009-2013
Certifications
- Project Management Professional (in progress, anticipated Feb. 2026)
- Google Project Management
- JCI Facilitator Training
- Meta Peace Team: Nonviolence & De-escalation training for domestic peace teams
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“Linda is a dedicated, thoughtful, resilient person who poured her energy and passion into her role as a community development fellow with CEDAM. The role required someone who was a self-starter, problem solver, and an excellent public speaker. Linda rose to the occasion and had some of the best attended meetings, a testament to her ties to the community and organizing skills.”
Sarah Teater, Director of Capacity Building
Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM)
