Linda Perlstein Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

Led all aspects of writing on behalf of foundation leadership—Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and CEO Mark Suzman—including speeches, op-eds, and internal communications.

Led the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and oversaw communications and editorial strategy at the College Excellence Program, which aims to improve student learning, degree completion, and employment after college—especially for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

Launched the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship for community college leaders, developed curriculum on effective college leadership teams, and led communications and editorial strategy.

Greater Seattle Area

Designed book selection process and led nonfiction and lifestyle buying for the Amazon Books chain, Amazon's first foray into bricks-and-mortar retail.

Wrote Tested: One American School Struggles to Make the Grade (Henry Holt, 2007) and Not Much Just Chillin': The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers (Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2003), a New York Times best-seller. Ghost-wrote or edited many books on education and published features, criticism, and commentary in New York Times, Washington Post, Slate, Newsweek.

Washington, D.C.

Provided one-on-one coaching for more than 400 journalists across the country, developed trainings, and wrote the Educated Reporter blog.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Staff writer covering education, 1998-2004. National graphics editor, 1995-1998. Copy editor, 1994-1995. Associated Press Mark Twain award for Best Feature Series in 2000.

Mia, International Political Economy

Full-tuition federal Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowship in French language.

B.A., Government