Linda Beitz has 35 years of experience as a change agent in public and non-public education, communities, local and state governmental organizations, businesses, and with families and individuals. She has worked as an administrator, technical assistance provider, facilitator, mediator, coach, consultant, program evaluator, author, and teacher. She holds a Doctorate in Education Administration, a Masters and Bachelors degree in Special Education, and Practitioner Certificates in Mediation and Conflict Studies; Appreciative Inquiry – A Relational Model for Business and Social Change; and, the Leadership Circle Profile, Managers’ Profile, Leadership Culture Survey – all 360-degree assessments designed to accelerate leadership effectiveness beyond traditional competency-based approaches. In 2015, Linda co-authored “A Positive Manifesto – How Appreciative Schools Can Transform Public Education” and co-founded The Center for Appreciative Organizing in Public Education. The Center is the virtual hub of a national network of stakeholders committed to a positive, strengths-based, whole system approach to the ongoing growth and development of our public education system. Linda has the privilege of serving the SWIFT Center in multiple capacities since its inception in 2012.

Linda lives in Chicago, is the proud mother of two young adults, an avid bicyclist, and a travel and food enthusiast.