Biography

Linda is a food industry professional with 37 years of experience in a wide variety of leadership and technical services roles. With a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from The Ohio State University, she joined Kellogg Company in 1977 and retired in 2014 as Vice President, Global Quality. From 2011 – 2014, Linda re-shaped quality and food safety policies and programs using a science and risk-based approach. This included leading a global team through a deep dive strategy, structure, people process leading to a new organizational structure and resourcing model. In addition, Linda sat on both the Global Research, Quality and Technology (RQT) and Supply Chain Leadership Teams. Experiences throughout her career include both individual contributor and leadership roles in product development, food technology, capital planning, long-range strategic planning, acquisition and divestiture due diligence, consumer service, advertising and marketing approval process, label compliance, supplier quality and safety (ingredients, packaging, premiums), sensory and stability, contract manufacturing quality, innovation quality, food safety and crisis management. With over 25 years of experience in crisis management, as global process and team lead and U.S. recall coordinator, Linda has managed a variety of issues globally, ranging from food safety and supplier recalls to natural disasters and reputational issues and has experience working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Better Business Administration (BBB). Linda is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation National Fellow, past Chairman and Executive Board member of the Society of International Consumer Affairs Professionals (SOCAP), and currently serves on Kellogg Company’s external Food Safety Advisory Board. After retiring in 2014, Linda chose to continue her year-round residency in Michigan to be near her three children and five grandchildren and resides in Convis Township, near Battle Creek, Michigan