Linda Lidov

In 1992 as I was about to graduate from college with a French degree, I was busing tables when a regular customer hired me to work at his document management software firm. I knew nothing about computers, but before I knew it I had launched a career in the high-tech sector. 

Not long after Avalanche was acquired by a desktop publishing software company, I jumped ship and started an exhilarating career in the satellite imaging and geographic information systems industry, where I spent the next 11 years. My tenure in that field was highlighted by the unique experience of helping to launch the world’s first high-resolution commercial imaging satellite, IKONOS, in 1999.

When I dipped my toes into the agency-side of PR, I began to acquire an interest in consulting - and eventually was inspired to found Highland PR in 2004.

My areas of emphasis in recent years have been in the philanthropic, nonprofit and education arenas. In these fields, I have had the opportunity to share powerful stories about social and economic justice, the impact of education, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, youth conservation programs, workforce development and much more.

What Moves Me
I love work that is groundbreaking, edgy or transformative. Here are some examples of projects that have moved me:

Space Imaging, 1995-2000: I helped Space Imaging get off the ground in its early days as a spinoff of Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space. Space Imaging was formed to commercialize military spy technology by building and launching the world's first high-resolution commercial imaging satellite. We launched IKONOS in Sept. 1999 from Vandenburg Air Force Base - an incredibly unique career experience. I will forever be inspired by the words of John Neer, the company's first CEO, when he gathered our small group of 45 employees on the floor for an all-staff meeting and told us, "There are three types of people in this world: those who wait for things to happen, those who watch things happen, and those who make things happen. You are here to make things happen." I've often thought back to this speech throughout the stages of my career and look to Neer's words as a driving force in my work.

Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, 2005-2010: I was initially hired to write a few stories highlighting the fund's grantees. That work spiraled into an opportunity to help the fund evolve its communication program as the organization itself evolved. When the fund was created in 1996, only 6 nonprofits applied for its grants; people felt uncomfortable taking the fund's money. Today, hundreds of nonprofits compete for the grants and for the prestige of being associated with the Gay & Lesbian Fund. The communication program has helped boost positive perceptions of the gay and lesbian community across the state, and form allied relationships with nonprofits, government organizations, community leaders and other funders. A cultural shift has occurred in Colorado, with more legislation to protect LGBT people from discrimination, more employers implementing fair personnel policies, and organizations working harder to create more inclusive environments. Communication played a key role in these changes by spreading messages about human equality, and touching hearts and minds with stories about philanthropic work that makes a difference in human lives.

Brown International Academy, 2006-present: Brown has a history of being an under-performing public school in northwest Denver. It was revitalized as an International Baccalaureate program in 2005. We took the leap to send our kids there - but not without the promise that we'd help get the school off the ground and get more families to choose this program. I've spent countless hours working alongside a small group of parents to heavily market the school to other families and the district itself. In three years, Brown became one of the most desirable schools in the neighborhood, and has attracted families from across Denver. Some say we "created a monster," evidenced by the long lines of families crowding in Brown's hallways during school choice period and filling up the room at the yearly Open House. Brown's growth is considered a success story in public school reform in Denver Public Schools.