Linda Childears

Linda Childears is an advisor to foundation donors and helps them clearly define their charitable intent to reflect their values and beliefs. She retired from the Daniels Fund in Colorado in April 2020 after serving as its President and CEO for 15 years. There she grew the foundation from $1billion to $1.5billion after distributing approximately $1billion in grants and scholarships.

Prior to Daniels Fund, Linda served as the Chairman and CEO of Young Americans Bank for 15 years. Prior to Young Americans, she spent several years as President of Equitable Bank of Littleton and Vice President of First National Bancorporation, working with 16 affiliate banks. Linda has served on numerous bank boards over the years and is also a members of the boards of Firefly Autism, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and the Advisory Board for the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business.

She is the past Chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and has served on over 30 state/local boards and six national boards while chairing nine of them. They include Colorado Concern, Employers Council, Millennium Bridge Capital, Young Americans Bank, National Assembly, National Camp Fire, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Alliance for Choice in Education, American Red Cross—Mile High Chapter, Cherry Creek Business Improvement District, Colorado Association of Funders, Colorado Meth Project, Council on Foundations, Daniels College of Business, Dental Lifeline Network, Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, Denver Police Foundation, Denver Public Schools Foundation, DU Bridge Project, Foundation for Teaching Economics, Johnson & Wales University Advisory Board, Junior Achievement, Mile High United Way, OpenWorld Learning, and Young Americans Center for Financial Education.

Linda has received multiple awards, degrees, and recognition for her service across the philanthropic space. The COMMIT Foundation is honored to have Linda's expertise as well a her savvy, grit, and presence as part of the team of teams.