Barbara Linek provides leadership in marketing, administration, and program development for University of Illinois Extension in DuPage County. As County Director, she networks with community organizations and corporations, building partnerships and assessing community needs.

Linek has a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and secondary education from the University of Dayton, and a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies from Lewis University. She speaks Spanish, as well as French. She has served the Latino population in the Chicago area in various capacities for the last thirteen years. Most recently, she was Adult Education Services Coordinator of a family literacy program for migrant farm workers.

Linek is a member of the Community Hunger Network and the Workforce Systems Committee of the DuPage County Workforce Investment Board.