Yale University

Career
Linda Koch Lorimer

Yale University

  • Vice President of the University (current)
  • Vice President and Secretary of the University (1995-2012)
  • Secretary of the University (1993-95)

    • Senior counselor to the University President and leader of major strategic initiatives. Title was elevated in 2012 to Vice President of the University.

    Responsibilities include:

    • Office of International Affairs (establishing the Office and developing strategic partnerships and programs with governments, corporations, NGOs and universities as well as creating Yale's Internationalization Framework; particular attention to Asia)
    • Office of Digital Dissemination (creating this new Office and promoting a digital initiative for distribution of the University's educational assets worldwide)
    • Office of Public Affairs and Communications, Licensing Office and Broadcast Center (expanding Yale’s communications efforts, marketing functions and licensing operations)
    • Association of Yale Alumni (revitalizing alumni relations where we have introduced a new model of engagement with the University’s graduates)
    • Office of Emergency Management (creating the Office and protocols; direct personally institutional crises --from bombing on campus to kidnapping in South Africa to murder off-campus)
    • Office of Sustainability (supervising 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 (overseeing 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. From 1993-2012, simultaneously served as Secretary of the University (institutional governance, including support of the Yale Corporation)

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

    • Led the “turn around” for the College to regain financial stability, build fundraising infrastructure, develop staff and expand 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 with responsibilities for Yale's schools of the arts, art museums and numerous academic departments
    • 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 (2011)
    • "The Future of Universities" Initiative (2012-2014), Vice Chair

    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