Board Member Active Emeritus: Linda Hicks

Linda Hicks
jlbdhicks@outlook.com

“At 211 degrees, water is hot, at 212 degrees it boils.  And with boiling water comes steam and with steam, you can power a train...Why do you enter into any activity with anything but a COMMITMENT to achieve your objective of that activity - not a desire to achieve your objective, but a commitment?”   Sam Parker, 212 the extra degree.

Linda Hicks is a retired chemical industry executive who now spends her time with business and technical consulting and serving community non-profits whose mission is focused on filling the STEM pipeline with more women and supporting women in their STEM career journeys and professional development.  Linda is a chemical engineer by training and has over 33 years of experience in the chemical industry as well as 5 years in the environmental engineering and consulting market.  Although Linda spent a couple years of her tenure doing commercial work as the Director of a specialty chemicals business, the majority of her career has been spent within technology deployment, construction and operations mangagement.  She has led global manufacturing and technology organizations including engineering, process safety, research and development, applications development, supply chain, operations, and global quality.  Linda built the first pyridine and picolines manufacturing plant in China and has traveled the world establishing technology teams, processes, and manufacturing assets. 

Linda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Grove City College (Grove City, Pa.).  Linda is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and served on the Executive Advisory Board of the U.S. Center for Chemical Process Safety for over 10 years.  Linda is active in the community and has a passion for advancing girl/women empowerment, financial independence, and STEM careers.  She has served on the board of Girls Inc. of Greater Indianapolis, and held the position of Interim President and CEO, Board Chair (3-years) and Development Chair.  Girls Inc.’s mission – “Inspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold”, resonates strongly with everything Linda does.  She is a Trustee of Marian University and chairs the advisory board for the new Witchger School of Engineering.  She is the board chair of TechPoint Foundation for Youth and the Board Treasurer for Every Girl Can STEM™.  She has been an active member of Women and Hi-Tech for 8+ years and has served on the Board as President and the EWF Director.  Linda was the co-recipient of the 2014 Money Magazine’s Money Hero for the state of Indiana, awarded the 2014 “Mentor Me” Leading Light Award by Women & Hi-Tech and named a 2015 Women of Influence by the Indianapolis Business Journal.  Linda is married and has two accomplished daughters.

Promoting STEM careers, particularly to women, is what prompted Linda to get involved with Women and Hi-Tech.  Women continue to be underserved in this area.  Starting at a young age they develop the impression that STEM is so heavily populated by men that it’s tough to get ahead, have fun and build friendships.  Linda believes Women in Hi-Tech works to dispel these paradigms and influence confidence building.  She finds it inspirational and motivating to be surrounded by a sea of highly accomplished technical women who are focused on mentoring each other.