LINDA BARRETT

" Linda Barrett is a native Ohioan with a long-term commitment to education and the field of aging. She graduated with honors from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and a Master of Gerontological Studies degree. Linda has held many diverse positions in management, public relations, and training.

After a 33-year federal government a career with the Social Security Administration, Linda took early retirement to embrace what became an 11-year caregiving commitment to her mother.

From 2008 through 2018, Linda served as full-time visiting assistant professor and adjunct faculty at Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) teaching several different courses in gerontology (Aging in American Society, Big Ideas in Aging, Career Planning in Gerontology, and Social Policy; Programs in Gerontology. For 12 semesters, she also taught the senior capstone and internship coursework, coordinating assignments with healthcare practitioners, skilled nursing facilities and other administrative professionals in the field of aging.

Linda founded and operates a consulting business, DiverseAGE, which focuses on consulting and training for businesses, churches, families, and individuals on such issues as Planning for and Adjusting to Retirement, Social Security Benefits, How to Succeed as a Caregiver, Spirituality in the Long-Term Care Setting, Communication and Cultural Diversity. Examples of clientele: Miami University, University of Kentucky, Atrium Medical Center Foundation, and Relocation Planning, Inc.

The mission of DiverseAGE is shedding light on cultural diversity, workplace communication and navigating issues of aging.

Linda’s personal interests are travel, humanitarian missions, hiking, and music. Her personal mission statement is: 'To create a life of balance – body, soul, & spirit – and encourage others to do the same'. "