Speaker Programme
Linda Cruse: Founder Race4Good, International Humanitarian, Leadership Expert, Author
The Dalai Lama, HRH The Prince of Wales and Sir Richard Branson are just three of the influential figures who have supported Linda Cruse in her mission to solve the most critical social, environmental and humanitarian problems around the world.
Described as a pioneer and entrepreneur, Linda is the Founder of Race4Good, a leadership expert, an international humanitarian and a successful author. Working in extreme conditions for over two decades, Linda has dedicated her life to finding creative and sustainable economic solutions that have the power to lift communities from the grip of poverty and from the depths of disaster.
Following an earlier career as a nurse & business woman, a traumatic experience resulted in temporary blindness, this led Linda to reassess her life, sell everything she owned, and fulfil her dream of becoming an international humanitarian aid worker. To this day, now over 20 years, she still only owns the content of one suitcase. Heading to wherever her skills are needed - from the snowy Himalayas to the jungles of the Amazon - she regularly lives with little or no access to clean water, electricity, dependable food supplies, or safe shelter. ‘Home’ is living among people in the most distressed places on earth: the aftermath of tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and typhoons, or working with survivors in refugee camps and war zones.
Linda’s journey is that of a single mother who tapped into her bravery to discover her purpose and passion in life, and who has gone on to survive numerous near-death encounters that have taught her remarkable lessons about life, leadership and survival. Living and working on every continent, often in the face of extreme adversity, she has escaped from a rebel army, been held at gunpoint, caught in a landslide, survived severe hypothermia, sutured her own face and drank three-day-old urine to save a life.
Her ground-breaking approach to humanitarian uplift involves strategically engaging the private sector and students, showing that it is possible to change lives, restore hope and transform the most fractured communities with sustainable, economic uplift. By working with the best and brightest—those who excel through innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit—Linda empowers the private sector & students to create real and lasting legacies and to use their strength and influence as a force for good.
Using thought-provoking insights and compelling frontline images and footage, Linda inspires and moves audiences as she shares her experience of a life lived on the edge. Listening to and engaging with Linda is a wake up call to develop new concepts, uncover fresh ideas and discover your own purpose and passion in life.
“As an event organiser I have rarely heard a presenter deliver such a powerful and relevant presentation (Talent Acquisition Conference - Washington, USA 2019). Linda is an inspirational leader and her spirit and fortitude came shining through as she spoke. Having taken those present on an amazing journey, Linda immediately had a long line of people waiting to speak to her. If you want to leave your audience with a lasting and positive memory of your conference, you’ll invite Linda Cruse to join you.”
Kate Wilson
Vice President Events, ERE Media
Businesses, Universities, Schools and individuals around the world benefit from Linda’s inspirational speakers programme, transformational leadership and workshops – Courageous Leadership - grounded in her unique experience and designed to develop future leaders, today’s top talent and emerging leaders. Linda has partnered with GSK, Nestlé, Cadbury, KPMG, Merrill Lynch, Virgin the United Nations, the World Bank and other leading organisations, and inspired people from presidents and ambassadors to admirals and CEOs.
Among her numerous awards and distinctions, she is a recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the WIFTS Foundation, USA, an Associate of Ustinov College at the University of Durham in the UK and a Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury New Zealand. She is also a bona fide, fourth-generation magician who has performed over 100 frontline magic shows in remote communities.
What They Say
Hearing Linda Cruse speak about her experiences on the front lines of aid work is both a humbling and an inspiring experience. Humbling because one can’t help but feel I wouldn’t be brave enough to do what she does, inspiring because one can’t help but feel but if she can do it – how can I not contribute in some way? Linda is a pragmatist, a visionary and a magician with a heart as big as a mountain. Listen to her speak. You’ll see what I mean. You’ll see what I mean. And you’ll realise that anything is possible!
Jim Carter, Actor ( Downton Abbey)
Keynote British Museum, London UK
"Linda is one of the most inspirational women in the world today who is leading change. She is a woman who is striving to create a thriving society where equality duly prevails. Linda goes further, does more, breaks through barriers and gives people courage that we all have the power to be a force for good, to be the change we want to see in the world. It is time to flip our traditional model of social change right on its head.” Nelofar Currhimbhoy
Sir Richard Branson once stated: “Linda Cruse makes the impossible, possible”. There a few testimonials with as much weight as one from the multi-billionaire philanthropist but Linda Cruse deserves it.
She has been changing lives with programmes designed to support communities and businesses. This modern-day Mother Theresa is no doubt one of the finest humanitarians in the world today.
Leading on the Frontline
Are you a student or business leader working in a world of unparalleled change and uncertainty? Leading on the Frontline by Linda Cruse captures profound leadership insights gained from two decades working as an international frontline humanitarian leader. By diving into Linda’s world of adventure and misadventure you can become the courageous, fulfilled leader you want to be.
Marmalade and Machine Guns
Linda captivates the reader with her extraordinary frontline adventures and misadventures in some of the most challenging places on earth. Following an earlier career as a nurse, a traumatic experience led Linda to reassess her life, sell everything she owned, and fulil her dream of becoming an international humanitarian aid worker. Living with little or no access to clean water, electricity, dependable food supplies, or safe shelter. ‘Home’ is living among people in the most distressed places on earth: the aftermath of tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and typhoons, or working with survivors in refugee camps and war zones.
Linda’s journey is that of a single mother who tapped into her bravery to discover her real purpose and passion in life, and who has gone on to survive numerous near-death encounters that have taught her remarkable lessons about life, leadership and survival. Living and working on every continent, often in the face of extreme adversity, she has escaped from a rebel army, been held at gunpoint, caught in a landslide, survived severe hypothermia, sutured her own face and drank three-day-old urine to save a life.
In Thailand, after the 2004 tsunami, she developed what was to be her trademark skill: the ability to broker powerful partnerships between the private sector and challenged communities. This has brought praise from spiritual, commercial, and political leaders all over the world. Her work is inspired by the idea of giving a 'hand-up' not a 'hand-out'.
