Linda Thompson is New Hanover County (NC)'s first chief diversity and equity officer. Her office was created in 2020 to further the county's commitment to diversity, inclusion, fairness, and respect. Before becoming the chief diversity and equity officer, Thompson served 25 years as the public affairs officer and diversity and inclusion officer for the Wilmington Police Department. She has worked with the US Department of Justice’s Community Relations Division to establish diversity and inclusion training for the City of Wilmington, and has developed a Conflict Management and Resolution curriculum for more than 500 individuals and churches. Thompson is a certified Implicit Bias trainer and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Broadcasting and a Master’s Degree in Conflict, Management and Resolution, from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.