Talbott, Linda Hood
Biography
Dr. Linda Hood Talbott is president and CEO of Talbott & Associates (established 1975), which helps foundations, corporations, and nonprofit organizations plan their philanthropic endeavors. She also served as a director of Great Plains Energy, was chairman of the Center for Philanthropic Leadership, and was a member of the Governance and Compensation and Development committees for Great Plains Energy and Kansas City Power and Light Company. Dr. Talbott was also on the Board of the Utility Women Directors Conference of North America, a trustee of Soroptimist International Welfare Fund, and a founding Board member of the Women’s Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
Dr. Talbott had a diverse career. She served in higher education teaching English Literature at universities in Boston, New York City, and Kansas City. She also published over 100 articles and books, and served in leadership positions with nonprofit agencies and corporations. Through these positions she helped fund multiple partnerships raising over $40 million including: the Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Seton Center Clinic, the National Arts Stabilization Fund, Health Track, and many more.
Dr. Talbott’s contributions were seen not only in Kansas City, but around the world. She served as a Delegation Leader for the U.S. Delegation of Business and Professional Women to China, and was a member of the delegation to the former Soviet Union. She was a lecturer on U.S. Philanthropy and U.S. Higher Education at universities in China, and a lecturer on Public Private Partnerships between Higher Education and Business at Oxford University in England.
Throughout her career Dr. Talbott was an influential founder of initiatives in the US and around the world to advance educational opportunities for women and girls. She has been recognized by Kansas City Business Magazine as one of the most influential businesswomen in Greater Kansas City. In 2011, Dr. Talbott was inducted into the International Hall of Fame in Cambridge, England, UK as “an extraordinary role model, humanitarian, and philanthropic leader.” Additionally, she was named the University of Missouri-Kansas City Alumna of the Year in 1990, Regional Citizen of the Year by the Mid America Regional Council of area governments, and recognized by Presidents Carter and Reagan for philanthropic leadership.
Dr. Linda Hood Talbott was married to her college sweetheart Tom for 46 years before he passed away in 2010. Though the two never had children they mentored many young adults, and have left scholarships for future young adults to succeed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Sources: Women Energy Directors Network Attendee Biographies 2012, Greater Kansas City Grantmaking: Foundation Highlights, 1975-1992, Obituary Thomas H. Talbott.
