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Linda L. Addison

Linda L. Addison

Linda Addison is an experienced independent director and chief executive, currently building out her board portfolio with private and PE-backed
companies. She is Lead Independent Director of Globe Life Inc. (NYSE: GL), an S&P 500 company, and a board member of Lexitas, an Apax Partners
private equity portfolio company. She previously served as an independent director of KPMG LLP, the Big 4 US audit, tax and advisory firm, a privately owned partnership with annual revenues that would rank within the Fortune 250 if publicly listed. She also served as an independent director of a NASDAQ-listed SPAC and on the Advisory Board of Northern Trust Bank. She has chaired public and private board compensation committees and special committees, has served on audit, nominating/governance, risk and human capital committees, and has overseen technology and ESG committees.

Linda continues to consider boards where her experience as an independent director, and as chief executive of a complex global business managing P/L and profitable revenue growth, can add value. She is able to draw upon her relationships and understanding of multiple industries, including their regulatory and risk landscape. These industries include financial services, professional services, technology-enabled services, healthcare, energy and more. Linda is skilled at talent assessment and leadership development, including assessing whether coaching or changes in management are needed to achieve goals, which can be especially important to a company that is growing or undergoing a transformation. She has advised, mentored and coached CEOs and members of senior management. Linda is an effective intermediary between investors and senior management to help drive alignment.

Executive Experience:
Before starting her board career, Linda served as US Managing Partner (CEO equivalent), Chair of the US Management Committee, and global board member of Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the world’s largest law firms, with 4,000 lawyers in 55 offices on six continents, $2 billion+ in revenues, and a complex economic and technology infrastructure. Linda had P/L responsibility for the US region, and was responsible for its strategy, growth and operations. She initiated and negotiated a merger that resulted in revenue growth of 29%, making the US the firm’s largest region. Linda was one of five regional chief executives formulating global strategy and operating the global business during a period of industry disruption and digital transformation.

Linda’s reporting lines included accounting/finance, risk management, regulatory/compliance, technology (including digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data), compensation, marketing/communications, and HR/human capital management.

Linda previously served as Global Head of the firm’s largest practice, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, leading its post-merger integration across six regions (North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East). Earlier she headed the firm’s New York office, during which she was instrumental in the global merger that created Norton Rose Fulbright.

For more than three decades, Linda led engagements and built close relationships with CEOs, corporate boards, and C-Suite executives across multiple industry sectors. Linda’s client portfolio included leading global companies such as General Electric, GE Capital, GE Healthcare, GE Power, GE Energy, GE Transportation, Northern Trust, Mars Incorporated, and Schlumberger.

Agenda, a Financial Times publication for board members, named Linda one of the Compensation 100: Top Board Candidates With Pay-Setting Skills, based on her extensive experience in compensation strategy and related talent management, acquisition, deployment, and retention.

Named to:

  • “50 Most Powerful Women in New York” by Crain’s New York Business
  • “Compensation 100: Top Board Candidates With Pay-Setting Skills” by Agenda, a Financial Times publication for board members
  • “50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal
  • “100 Most Influential Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal
  • “Most Influential Corporate Directors” by Women, Inc. Magazine
  • “Directors to Watch” by Directors & Boards Magazine

Memberships include:

  • Council on Foreign Relations
  • National Association of Corporate Directors (“NACD”)
  • Women Corporate Directors (“WCD”)
  • Extraordinary Women on Boards (“EWOB”), Founding Member
  • Founding President, Center for Women in Law (America’s premier educational institution devoted to advancing women in the legal profession)
  • C200 (global invitation-only membership organization of leading women corporate executives and entrepreneurs, devoted to advancing women in business leadership)

Non-Profit Boards include:

  • Chair, University of Texas System, Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee
  • Catalyst
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors
  • McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, Dean’s Advisory Counsel
  • University of Texas Law School Foundation, Senior Trustee

Education:

  • J.D., The University of Texas School of Law (Managing Editor, Texas Law Review)
  • B.A., The University of Texas at Austin (Plan II Honors Program)
  • Distinguished Alumna, The University of Texas at Austin

Certifications:

  • Climate Leadership (by Diligent)
  • CERT Certificate in Cybersecurity Oversight (by Carnegie Mellon University)

Personal:
Linda was born in America to parents who immigrated here, and her first language was Polish. A first generation American, she connects easily with people from different backgrounds, cultures and countries. Linda is an avid reader who likes to travel and is interested in health and fitness. She has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.