welcome

Linda McCarthy has served as the Executive Director of the Downtown organization since 1999. She has fostered the growth of the Missoula Downtown Association, as well as the development and advancement of the Downtown Business Improvement District and the Missoula Downtown Foundation, all under the umbrella of the Downtown Missoula Partnership since 2014. Collectively, she and her team lead and nurture a vibrant Downtown Missoula as a place where people are inspired.

McCarthy is responsible for ensuring the organization is accomplishing its work plan across all spectrums. She works more specifically in strategic planning, board development, communications, public relations, fundraising, advocacy and implementation of the Downtown Master Plan.

McCarthy served on the Destination Missoula Board of Directors from 1999-2016 and was president of the board in 2011-12. She also served on the First Night Missoula Board of Directors from 1999-2001 and the Mountain West Track Club Board of Directors from 1994-2004. She currently serves on the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame Committee at UM.

McCarthy has a BA in Communication Studies and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Montana. She previously served as a Sports Information Director for Grizzly Athletics from 1989-99. She was honored as the UM Montana Alumni of the Year in 2008, the Missoula Tourism Person of the Year (Jay Award) in 2016, and she and her husband were honored as the UM Community Service Award Winners in 2022.

Linda is married to Tom Gallagher, and their daughter, Madelyn, is a student at Montana State University.