Linda Childears

Linda Childears joined the Daniels Fund in July 2005. Bill Daniels appointed her a trustee of his estate and named her to the original Daniels Fund Board of Directors. Linda implements the Board’s strategic direction and leads all programs and operations of the Daniels Fund. Her leadership reflects her strong dedication to honoring Bill Daniels’ philanthropic intent.



Linda met Bill Daniels when he hired her company, The Financial Consortium, to help overcome the unprecedented operational, legal, and regulatory challenges of opening Young Americans Bank, his bank for kids. By the time of the bank’s grand opening in August 1987, Linda had accepted Bill’s offer to become its President & CEO.



Prior to Young Americans, Linda spent several years in “adult” banking as President of Equitable Bank of Littleton and Vice President of First National Bancorporation. She served as a board member of Colorado Bankers Association, Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, and Colorado Student Loan Program, and was Chairman of the American Bankers Association Education Foundation.



Linda currently serves on the boards of Cheyenne Capital Fund, Council on Foundations, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Denver Police Foundation, First National Bank of Santa Fe, and Mountain States Employers Council. She serves on Mayor Hancock’s Denver Education Compact and the Public Policy Committees of Council on Foundations and Philanthropy Roundtable.  Linda has received honorary doctorate degrees from Johnson & Wales University and University of Denver.