Linda Chavez

Director at ABM Industries

Ms. Chavez is the president of the Becoming American Institute, a position she has held since 2014. Additionally, she is founder and chairman of the Center for Equal Opportunity, a position she has held since January 2006. Prior to her appointment as chairman, Ms. Chavez served as president of the Center for Equal Opportunity from January 1995 through December 2005. Ms. Chavez was a director of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation from 2004 to 2008, where she served on the audit committee. Previously, she was a director of Greyhound Lines, Inc. from 1995 to 1999, when it was acquired by another company. Ms. Chavez has held numerous appointed positions, including chief executive officer of the National Commission on Migrant Education from 1988 to 1992, chief executive officer of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights from 1983 to 1985, and White House director of public liaison in 1985. In 1992, she was elected by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to serve a four-year term as U.S. Expert to the U.N. Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. She is a 2006 graduate of the UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management Director Training and Certification Program, served on the advisory board of the Outstanding Directors Exchange in 2008 and 2009, and served on the board of Research Electro-Optics, a privately held company, from 2012 to 2018. Ms. Chavez also serves or has served on numerous nonprofit boards. She is an author, television commentator and frequently writes about public policy issues.