Linda Freedman is the newest elected member of the Walnut City Council and current Mayor. Before she was elected to the City Council in 2020, she served on the City of Walnut Parks and Recreation Commission and has also volunteered in a variety of capacities throughout the City. Linda began working as a teacher in the Walnut Valley Unified School District (WVUSD) in 1987.  She spent the majority of her time at Collegewood Elementary School teaching Kindergarten through 5th grade. She recently retired from the WVUSD after 36 years of service.

Linda and her family moved to Walnut over 15 years ago.  She has been married to her husband, Mike, for 33 years. Her three children all attended schools in Walnut starting at Collegewood Elementary, then moving to Suzanne Middle School, and finally graduating from Walnut High School. Her daughter, Amy, is currently a 7th grade English Language Arts teacher at Suzanne Middle School.

Linda has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Cal State University, Fullerton and a Master of Arts degree in Education. She has been involved in leadership academies through the school district and has also trained in cognitive coaching and social emotional learning.  Linda’s priorities are to promote mental health awareness and unite residents across a diversity of backgrounds, creating meaningful change in our community.  She will work to ensure that our City government continues to be guided by transparency, fiscal responsibility, and economic development.  She is honored to represent the residents of Walnut and knows that as a community, we are always Better Together.