Linda Reid
Vice President of Security Operations
The Walt Disney World Resort
Linda currently serves as the security leader for the largest Disney Park and Resort complex in the company, the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. Prior to relocating to Orlando, Linda had security responsibility for Disney’s international theme parks and served as the strategic security resource for the Disney Parks and Resorts overseas properties at Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disney, Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney land tours, Disney Institute, and Disney Vacation Club properties including the Aulani Resort in Hawaii.
Linda’s first job in the Walt Disney Company in 2008 was as the Director of the Global Intelligence and Threat Analysis unit where she built a team of corporate intelligence analysts who serve as the "strategic tripwire" for risks and threats to the Walt Disney Company's personnel and guests, facilities, and brand worldwide. This intelligence portfolio spans 72 brands and encompasses the Parks and Resorts business segment, as well as, ABC News, ESPN, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Stores, Adventures by Disney land tours, and motion picture productions, including Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm.
Linda joined the Walt Disney Company after an 18 year career with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). During her CIA career, Linda served as both an analyst and operations officer and has extensive overseas experience in South Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. She worked on issues ranging from terrorism to cyber intelligence to weapons of mass destruction, verification of international arms control treaties, and unmanned aircraft programs. She is the recipient of the Intelligence Community's Studeman Award for Excellence, Intelligence Medals for service in Iraq and Bosnia, a National Meritorious Unit Citation for Weapons of Mass Destruction, and numerous other CIA awards for Merit, Excellence, and Distinguished Service. Believing that we are safer together than we are apart, Linda is a founding member of the Department of Homeland (DHS) Security’s Classified Intelligence Forum, which assists DHS analysts in understanding threats to the private sector, and the Commercial Facilities and Outdoor Events subsector councils. She is the former Chairman of the State Department's Pan-Asia Regional Council, a member of the inaugural security committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and founding member of the Private Sector Intelligence Council.
Linda graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has done graduate level work at Cambridge University in England. Linda is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa chapter of UCLA.