Laura Link, co-president

Assistant Professor

Purdue University – Fort Wayne

Dr. Laura Link is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Professional Studies Department of the College of Education and Public Policy at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. She holds a doctorate in Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Memphis and is the co-author of Cornerstones of Strong Schools: Practices for Purposeful Leadership (with J. Zoul, 2007). Her research focuses on developing and supporting highly-effective leaders and organizational cultures that prioritize collaboration, performance assessment, and adult learning. Dr. Link served as lead facilitator for IPFW’s Leadership Academy and has led an array of other professional development academies, classes and initiatives over her career. Since 2002, Dr. Link has presented locally and nationally on the topics of high-impact leadership, assessment leadership, talent development, educator/employee engagement, and more.

Before joining IPFW, Dr. Link served as Chief Academic Officer at Jackson-Madison County Schools in Jackson, TN and was Chief of Talent Management in Shelby County Schools in Memphis, TN, the 14th largest school district in the nation. She served as 1 of 7 Transition Steering Committee members charged with leading the largest school district merger in United States’ history. Additionally, Dr. Link has served in an array of central office and school-based administrative roles (in both urban and suburban settings) and has taught elementary, middle, high school and college students over her 28 years in public and private education. Dr. Link also served as a state Board Member of Learning Forward, TN, and is currently co-president of Learning Forward, IN, a professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in K-16 professional development.