Leadership Bios

Linda D. Hallman, CAE
AAUW Executive Director

Linda D. Hallman comes to AAUW with a long history of Washington, DC-area association and foundation executive-level leadership experience. She most recently served as vice president of policy and government strategy, external and member relations, in the Washington office of the National Alliance for Health Information Technology. Highlights of her extensive nonprofit experience include service as executive director of the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) and AMWA Foundation, as well as president and chief executive officer of the American Horticultural Society. Further, she served in the United States Army and U.S. Army Band and Chorus at Fort Myer, Virginia, receiving an honorable discharge after 9 years of service.

Hallman earned a master's degree in organizational management from George Washington University and bachelor's degree in music education from Indiana University. She has acquired extensive continuing professional development and is affiliated with relevant organizations for professionals in the field. In addition, she is an AAUW member.

Carolyn H. Garfein
AAUW President

Carolyn Garfein represents a long tradition of accomplished AAUW leaders rising to higher office after years of previous AAUW service. She most recently served on the Board of Directors of the AAUW Educational Foundation. Before that, she was the state Legal Advocacy Fund chair, leading Georgia to first place in per capita giving. Her local branch in North Fulton, Georgia, has raised thousands in scholarship dollars significantly aided by an annual book fair, a tradition of philanthropic activism that dates back to half a century.

While serving on the AAUW of California board as budget director, Garfein returned to school — 18 years after receiving her bachelor of arts from Cornell University — worked full time, and raised two children. She received an MBA in marketing and management, graduated with honors, and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society.

Garfein has had a successful marketing career, serving as manager of program research at NBC and vice president and regional manager at Maritz, Inc. Currently, Garfein is senior vice president of The Marketing Workshop, Inc., in Norcross, Georgia.