Vice President and Secretary
Linda Koch Lorimer, B.A., J.D.
Since returning to Yale in 1993, Linda Koch Lorimer has served as the senior counselor to the President and the leader of major strategic initiatives for the University. For five years she was responsible for Yale’s efforts to contribute to the revitalization of the city of New Haven. In recent years, she has developed an ambitious strategy and numerous programs for internationalizing Yale. She currently is guiding Yale’s use of digital technology to disseminate the University’s intellectual treasury much more extensively in this country and around the world. She assumed oversight of Yale’s sustainability initiative in 2009, to underscore Yale’s aspirations to be a model of best practice for universities worldwide.
Ms. Lorimer also serves as Secretary of the Yale Corporation, and she is the officer responsible for Yale’s public relations, alumni affairs, safety and security, corporate governance, and licensing.
A graduate of Norfolk Academy, Hollins University, and Yale Law School, Ms. Lorimer practiced law in New York City at Davis Polk & Wardwell and then held a series of administrative positions at Yale between 1978 and 1986, including service as the youngest Associate Provost in the University’s history. From 1986 to 1993 Ms. Lorimer served as President of Randolph–Macon Woman’s College in her home state of Virginia. During this period, she was elected as a Fellow of the Yale Corporation.
Ms. Lorimer has been a leader of numerous nonprofit and corporate enterprises. She was Chair of the Board of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Vice Chair of the Board of the Center for Creative Leadership, Chair of the Board of the Women’s College Coalition, Vice Chair of the National Association of Methodist Colleges and Universities, and a member of the boards of a dozen regional community or arts organizations. She has given board service to all of her alma maters as well as four public corporations. She currently serves on the Board of the McGraw-Hill Companies, having served as the Lead Director for five years.
Ms. Lorimer was awarded the Order of Merit by the Government of Argentina for advancing international education (2003), the Sandra Day O’Connor Award by the American Bar Association for board excellence (2008), and the Yale Medal for conspicuous service to Yale (2008). She has received four honorary degrees for her efforts to advance women.
