Linda Cruse

Linda Cruse is an acclaimed humanitarian and sustainability advocate whose compelling life journey and transformative leadership work have made her a highly sought-after speaker on global stages. Appointed in 2015 as Senior Fellow and Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, she has since become a driving force in empowering communities and young leaders alike. The founder of Race4Good, Linda is leading a pioneering initiative that harnesses the talents of students and professionals to deliver real-time, sustainable solutions to global challenges. Her authentic, hands-on experience combined with an ability to inspire change through storytelling makes her a powerful voice for sustainability and social impact.

Linda’s humanitarian journey began in 1996 following a life-altering health scare caused by work-related stress. A former nurse, she reassessed her life, sold all her possessions, and dedicated herself to frontline aid work. Since then, she has operated in crisis zones across the globe, including the aftermath of the Asian tsunami, Pakistani earthquake, Nepal earthquake, and various super typhoons. Over her career, Linda has brought immediate, life-saving support and long-term recovery strategies to some of the world’s most devastated communities. Her work, rooted in compassion and urgency, has had an enduring impact on lives across continents.

A committed environmental advocate, Linda has lived and worked in remote and ecologically fragile regions such as the Amazon rainforest, the Himalayas, the Arctic Circle, and the Sahara Desert. Her conservation efforts focus on delivering creative and sustainable economic solutions to help lift marginalised communities out of poverty while preserving their natural environments. In 2023, Linda launched the Global Youth Polar Race4Good, a groundbreaking project that connects young people with indigenous communities across the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Himalayas. This initiative gives voice to those most affected by climate change and empowers youth to implement locally guided, immediate environmental solutions.

Linda is a sought after speaker because she brings more than theories – she brings lived experience from some of the harshest environments on Earth. Through powerful visuals, frontline stories, and deep empathy, she leaves audiences inspired and equipped to make a meaningful difference. Her books, “Marmalade and Machine Guns” and “Leading on the Frontline”, reflect her ethos of resilience, leadership, and transformative action – qualities that make her an exceptional voice for sustainability.