Yale University

Career
Linda Koch Lorimer

Yale University

  • Vice President and Secretary of the University (since 1994)
  • Secretary of the University (1993-94)
  • Serves as the senior counselor to the President and the leader of major strategic initiatives.

    • Responsibilities include leading the:

    • Office of International Affairs (development of strategic partnerships and programs with governments, corporations, NGOs and universities)
    • Office of Public Affairs and Communications, Licensing Office and Broadcast Center (Yale’s communications, marketing and licensing operations worldwide)
    • Office of the Secretary (institutional governance, including the Yale Corporation, the President's Council on International Activities and the University Council)
    • University Chaplaincy (introducing new vision of spiritual formation for University students)
    • Office of Digital Dissemination (initiatives for distributing Yale’s assets worldwide)
    • Association of Yale Alumni (alumni relations where we have introduced a new model of engagement with the University’s graduates)
    • Office of Emergency Management (all crisis management --from evacuations in Egypt to kidnapping in South Africa to murder on campus)
    • Office of Sustainability (Yale's sustainability initiative where we are working to set a standard for how "green initiatives" can permeate a university’s operations)
    • Yale University Press (the largest academic publisher in the U.S.)
    • Prior responsibilities include Office of New Haven Affairs (led the University’s initiative to revitalize New Haven) and Yale’s Police & Security departments

    Randolph-Macon Woman’s College
    President (1987-1993)

    • Led the “turn around” for the College in terms of regaining financial stability, building fundraising infrastructure, improving staff and expanding enrollment
    • Designed and executed a capital campaign that raised more than twice the prior campaign and more than 150% of what the external fundraising consultants thought feasible
    • Restored confidence in the institution among the multiple constituencies and introduced new academic programs and affiliations. During these years, the College was featured as a case study of effective board-administration teamwork

    Yale University

    • Associate Provost of the University (1983-1987), the youngest in Yale's history
    • Acting Chief of Human Resources (1984-85), to create Yale's first HR office
    • Acting Co-General Counsel of the University (1981-1982)
    • Associate General Counsel of the University (1979-1984)
    • Assistant General Counsel of the University (1978-1979)

    Davis Polk & Wardwell
    Associate (1977-1978)

    • Associate in the law firm’s corporate department, focusing on Indonesian oil financings and Eurodollar loan syndications

    Other Leadership Positions

    Corporate:

    • The McGraw-Hill Companies. Board of Directors (since 1994); Presiding Director (2004-09); current member and former Chair of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; current member of the Compensation Committee
    • Sprint Nextel (and previously Sprint). Board of Directors (1994-2008), including Chair of Corporate Governance Committee and service on all board committees over time
    • Other Corporate Boards. Centel and First Colony Life Insurance

    Not-for-Profit:
    National service has included:

    • Association of American Colleges & Universities. Chair of the Board
    • Center for Creative Leadership. Vice Chair of the Board
    • National Associate of College & University Attorneys. Executive Committee of the Board
    • National Association of Methodist College & Universities. Vice Chair of the Board
    • Women’s College Coalition. Chair of the Board
    • Yale Corporation. Trustee, including Presidential Search Committee

    International service has included:

    • Global Agenda Council on Education (2008-10), Chair
    • Global University Leadership Group of the World Economic Forum (2005 to present)
    • WISE Juror for the Qatar Foundation (current)

    Regional service (currently or previously) on more than a score of regional boards, including the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, United Way, Yale-New Haven Hospital, and various arts, business and civic organizations

    Service on the boards of each of my alma maters (Yale University, Hollins University, and Norfolk Academy), as well as children's school (the Foote School)

    Education

    • Yale Law School, J.D. 1977
      Wasserman Leadership Award (Calhoun College)
    • Hollins College, B.A. 1974
      Valedictorian; President of Student Government

    Awards

    Videos & Photos

    Personal

    • Married with two grown children