Linda Ade Ridder

Board Member

Since retiring from an academic career focused on children and families as a Professor and Administrator and moving to Whidbey in 2002 with her husband Gregg, Linda has focused her volunteer work on children and families and environmental issues. Linda joined Beach Watchers in 2005. She worked with Sound Waters University as Program Chair, then Event Chair until taking on the effort to separate from WSU to form an independent, non-profit: Sound Water Stewards of Island County officially came into being on January 1, 2016. She was SWS Board President through 2018 and again starting January, 2019 through 2022. She led the team creating the Third Edition of Getting to the Water’s Edge, published in 2020. She coordinated several travel experiences for SWS volunteers that also provided funding support. She continues as a member.

Linda helped create Mother Mentors of Whidbey Island in 2009 and served as Board President with two breaks when others took up the role through 2023; she served on the Board one additional year through 2024. She served on and led the Whidbey Watershed Stewards Board (2005-2015), the Island County Big Brothers Big Sisters Board (2003-2010), including chairing the South Whidbey Festival of Trees event for two years. She served on the Readiness to Learn Foundation Board (2010-12). She was a Waste Wise volunteer (2003-) and was active in the South Whidbey Garden Club (2003-) and was President for two years. She brought extensive volunteer and professional experience to her Whidbey efforts, mostly centered around children and families, governance and organizational development.

Hobbies include cooking, gardening, quilting, reading, and travel. She resides on Whidbey Island with her husband, Gregg.