Linda I. Lawther

Linda Lawther, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S., was elected to a three-year term to the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees by the Kiwanis International Council in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S., in June 2021.  

“I am glad to bring my perspective and experience to the board-level discussions, with a view on the changes needed at the higher levels of our organization,” Lawther said.   

A Kiwanis member since 1998, she is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Belleville Area and has served as club president and secretary. At the district level, she has been governor, lieutenant governor and membership chair. She has also served as district education director.  

She has also served Kiwanis International as a regional chair of The Formula, a membership growth initiative of Kiwanis International, and as a post-Formula growth chair. She is a Life Member, a designation gifted by several of the districts she counseled. Lawther holds a Walter Zeller Fellowship and a George F. Hixson Fellowship and has been awarded numerous Michigan District honors at the highest levels. 

Lawther holds a bachelor’s degree in health care management from Spring Arbor University and a master’s degree in leadership from Bellevue University. She is president and CEO of the Michigan Center for Assisted Living (a division of the Health Care Association of Michigan). She is a member of the Church of Christ.  

“With more than 34 years of leadership development and membership support of assisted living communities, I have very strong experience in mentoring, training and elevating staff” Lawther said. “In 1998 I was invited to join Kiwanis as a business networking opportunity. It did not take long for it to become so much more to me. With an interest in developing Aktion Clubs, it matched my career. I am committed to mentoring others in leadership and in service.”  

Lawther’s husband, Jeffrey, is also a member of the Ypsilanti and Belleville Area clubs and has also served as a club leader and youth program advisor.   

The couple has two married children and four grandchildren. Lawther enjoys spending time with family, as well as music, travel, walking and hiking, and speaking on and teaching numerous topics.