Linda Mastandrea is a Paralympic gold and silver medalist, civil rights attorney and passionate communicator. Born with cerebral palsy, Linda grew up with her twin sister. They didi everything together—except play sports or participate in physical education class.

Linda graduated in the top ten in her class at Bolingbrook High School, earned a B.A. in Speech Communication from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and followed that with a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

An introduction to wheelchair sports during college led Linda to a storied career as a Paralympic, World, Pan American and National champion and world record holder in wheelchair track. She won 15 gold and five silver medals during her career.

Off the track, Linda became an attorney focused on civil rights and disability issues working to ensure people with disabilities are integrated into the fabric of society. A sought after subject matter expert, she’s shared her wisdom with audiences around the world.

Career highlights include working with the Chicago 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid organization where she had the honor of presenting the case for Chicago alongside President and Mrs. Obama, and the work she did with FEMA advising the Administator on helping people with disabilities impacted by disasters.

She’s received numerous awards and accolades during her career, becoming the first female Paralympian inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame. She has been committed to serving the community, working on numerous boards and committees during her career including the International Paralympic Committee Legal and Ethics Committee and Variety, the Children’s Charity of Illinois.