Linda Willingham brings a wealth of nonprofit operational knowledge to the We Care Board with over three decades of nonprofit sector experience. Linda is a Southern California native who grew up in West Torrance. She attended the University of Southern California where she ran track and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. After graduation, she began a lifelong career with the YMCA. Linda was a member of the founding staff team at the Stuart M. Ketchum YMCA in Downtown L.A. where she helped the branch become the flagship for the YMCA of Greater Los Angeles Association. She developed the concept for the annual “Community Cup” fundraiser which purposefully brought together the downtown corporate, civic, and nonprofit service sectors and included the original “Stair Climb to the Top” – a race to the top of the tallest building west of the Mississippi.

Mid-career, Linda was recruited to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach where during her tenure she helped grow their Annual Good Friday Breakfast from 200 to nearly 1,000 attendees.

Now retired, her past positions included Associate Executive Director, Director of Special Projects, and Executive Assistant to the President & CEO. Linda and her husband Tom reside in Seal Beach, California where they raised their two daughters. She and her family prioritize community involvement. Linda’s past volunteer roles include Girl Scout Troop Leader, AYSO Soccer Coach, Los Alamitos High School Track & Field Booster Club President, USC Track & Field volunteer, and National Charity League South Coast Chapter Philanthropy Committee Co-Chair when she was first introduced to We Care.

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