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Retried Former Educator in Newport, RI and Shawnee Mission, KS
The DeBruce Foundation Board of Directors
Linda Woodsmall-DeBruce is an educational professional whose advocacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership has touched the lives of generations. Linda holds two master’s degrees from the University of Kansas.
Throughout her career, Linda has taught school in Newport, Rhode Island and Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Following teaching,she worked at a teacher center where she wore many hats. She raised funds from local businesses, conducted graduate credit courses for teachers, wrote curriculum for school districts, started an Arts in Education Program connecting school districts to local art institutions, and received a grant for an internship with the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., to gain insight into other national arts programs.
For her next venture, Linda’s dedication to philanthropic missions and generosity led to her starting a micro-lending handbag and accessory company with her daughter. Here, they worked with women in Southeast Asia, Laos, and India to help them adapt their designs to the American market. Additionally, Linda developed marketing and sales strategies for the company and graciously contributed a portion of the profits to micro-financing groups in Southeast Asia.
A dedicated community leader, Linda has been influential on several boards, from the arts to education to philanthropy. She has served in various positions, from Docent to Chairman of different membership arms, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She has also served on the Wildwood Outdoor Education Board. Currently, she sits on the Advocacy Board at the University of Kansas Medical Center and The DeBruce Foundation Board of Directors.
In her spare time, Linda enjoys reading, catching up with friends, golfing with her husband, and traveling to visit her three children and grandchildren.