Linda Butler, New Board of Directors Member
Linda is a native New Yorker, who grew up in New York, but also lived in England for 20 years, and currently resides in Atlanta. Linda obtained her undergraduate degree from State University of New York, Stony Brook and her graduate experience and degrees from City University of New York and Adelphi University, New York. Her life experience includes significant time on two continents and in three different cultures. Linda’s life, academic and work experiences encompass several categories including the arts, sciences, and corporate business. Her résumé reflects an eclectic list of activities and interests, all of which add up to a “big tent” description.
As a teenager, Linda studied and danced with the New York City Ballet. As an adult and mother, she pursued other options, including clinical practice as a certified Speech Pathologist and Audiologist and as a writer and editor on a variety of subjects including the use of computers in the humanities and issues of corporate communication. The latter activity became the bridge to her career in corporate financial services. Linda has been a pioneer as the first woman to have been elected to Vice President of a major division of the world’s largest reinsurance intermediary in New York, and as one of the first female directors of a major Lloyd’s broker in London.
In 2002, Linda turned down an offer from Lloyd’s of London to lead its North American Division as she wished to return to her roots in dance, communication, teaching and therapy. Linda obtained certification as a Master Pilates Instructor with the association that sets the standard for Pilates tuition in Europe, before establishing her own practice where she taught a large student population of all ages, comprised of medically referred individuals through to elite athletes and performers in the arts.
“That wonderful experience continued until my English husband and I moved from England to the United States in 2012, my husband for the first time and I as a returnee. We settled in Atlanta to be close to my son and daughter-in-law, who had previously moved here for their careers.”
My current effort with Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG) is an outgrowth of the birth of my adorable grandson, now three years old, who was diagnosed with severe hemophilia (Type A, Factor VIII) shortly after his birth. Following that, as our family adjusted to this news and my husband and I settled into our new home in Atlanta, we discovered HoG, exhaled, and volunteered with that wonderful organization. Our family sees the amazing work of the charity from the inside, as clients and as volunteers. We are so proud to be advocates and feel immensely fortunate to be a part of the HoG community.”
“The “big tent” that has surrounded my life now includes this new element. The start of our family’s new journey in the world of hemophilia intersects with the start of our journey with HoG. I am committed, with profound purpose, to contributing to both with my best investment of dedication, hope and love.”