A Legacy in Motion: Dr. Linda Miller’s 16-Year Journey with the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation
For 16 years, Foundation Board Chair, Dr. Linda Miller, has been more than just a member of the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation; she has been its cornerstone. As the CEO and Founder of EWI Works International Inc, Linda has spent over three decades dedicated to the science of how we move and thrive.
Her professional life as an occupational therapist and an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta has always been rooted in empowerment. Through her role as the Chair of the Edmonton Public Schools Foundation, she channels that expertise into the heart of our community.
As her time on the board comes to a close, she’s leaving us with one final "parting gift" for our students: the Move for Kids initiative!
A Personal Foundation of Giving
Linda’s commitment to public education is deeply personal, rooted in a foundational belief:
"If you have the opportunity to grow up in a good public education system, you can go anywhere."
For over a decade and a half, Linda has worked to ensure that doors remain open for every student, regardless of their background. She has steered the Foundation through a rapidly changing landscape, watching as the needs of the community grew more complex. Under her leadership, the Foundation established new pillars of opportunity - tangible, research-backed supports designed to meet the diverse needs of modern classrooms.
"The need has changed so drastically," Linda notes."We’ve had to be agile to ensure we are actually solving the problems students face today."
The Parting Legacy: "Move for Kids"
As Linda nears the end of her tenure with the Foundation, she isn’t just stepping away; she is launching a movement. Move for Kids is a spring campaign inspired by Linda’s lifelong philosophy that movement is the ultimate catalyst for mental health, social connection and academic success.
The vision for Move for Kids is to inspire students and the community to get active in their own unique way. While the initiative serves as a fundraiser for the Foundation, its heart lies in simply getting people active in a way that is personal and meaningful to them. By prioritizing fun and health, we ensure that participation remains accessible and inclusive for every individual, regardless of ability. Ultimately, this legacy project is about more than just physical activity; it is about creating young community builders and teaching children the power of giving back, as the funds raised go directly toward supporting all 214 Edmonton Public Schools and over 122,000 students.
For Linda, leaving the Foundation with this initiative is the perfect bookend to her career as a Foundation Board member. It marries her professional expertise in wellness with her philanthropic heart.
Lessons for the Next Chapter
Linda’s advice for those who will continue the Foundation’s work is simple: Listen first.
"Come up with an idea," she advises, "but really listen to who you’re serving to meet the actual need."
As her time on the board comes to a close, Linda’s parting message is a call to action for us all.
Dr. Linda Miller’s 16 years of dedication have left the Foundation stronger, and through Move for Kids, her legacy will keep the next generation of Edmonton students moving forward.
Stay tuned as we share more about the Move for Kids initiative and how you can get involved!