Linda A. Drumgoole

Much of my success has been shaped by the grace of God, including the doors He opened throughout my 40-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During that time, the Lord provided opportunities for me to become a federal mediator and to serve on the team that created, structured, and implemented the Department of Justice Mediation Corps. What began as professional service gradually developed into ministry through mentoring. For 25 years as a biblical counselor and for approximately 15 years as a biblical life coach, mentoring has remained central to my calling.

I also give thanks for the life experiences and academic education God used to prepare me. From 1977 to 1981, I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science from Mississippi State University. In many of my classes, I was often the only woman and the only African American. Although the pressure was significant and the environment at times felt isolating, by God’s strength I remained true to who I was. My professional education, spanning from 1986 to 2026, came through numerous roles, training opportunities, and experiences that took me to almost every state in the union.

At the age of 64, I returned to school while working full-time and received my Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix. I pursued that degree at that stage of my life because I believed the years God had allowed me to manage, supervise, and create programs within the FBI deserved formal recognition and validation. I remain grateful for that season, including being named to the Dean’s List and joining the National Honor Society. It reminded me that, with faith, discipline, and God’s favor, purpose does not expire.

My ministry preparation has also been strengthened by years of biblical training and certification. Through those experiences, I served in women’s and children’s ministries and trained church leaders and teachers in Christian leadership, discipleship, and personal spiritual development. Most recently, I completed Leadership Cohort training with the Texas Baptist Association, which further affirmed my calling to teach, lead, and equip others through a biblical foundation.

Because of this journey, I desire to encourage other women to understand that it is never too late and never unattainable when God is ordering their steps. That truth applies at every age and through every life experience. I saw, and still see, myself as a Legacy Baroness—a woman called to create paths for others and point them toward purpose. At my retirement event, several people said my departure would create a hole in the organization. Then one person stood and said something I will never forget. He said I was not leaving a hole; I was leaving legacies, and he was one of them. That moment deeply moved me. Until then, I had not fully realized the impact of walking in my God-given purpose, doing the work, serving faithfully, and helping others find their way. For that, I give God all the glory.

The best career advice I have ever received was simple, powerful, and life-changing: I can pursue any career I choose when I walk in faith and trust the gifts God has placed within me. As a minority woman at the beginning of my professional journey, those words became more than encouragement—they became a reminder that God had a purpose for my life and had equipped me with confidence, courage, and possibility.

I carried that belief with me throughout a 40-year career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Through every challenge and opportunity, my faith reminded me to keep moving forward, to remain resilient, and to trust that each step was part of a greater plan.

After retiring from the FBI, I embraced a new calling in biblical counseling and life coaching. Today, my goal is to mentor women ages 5–85, helping them recognize their God-given value, strengthen their self-image, advance in their careers, and believe that their own journeys are filled with promise, purpose, and faith.

To young women entering this field, my heartfelt encouragement is this: trust the gifts God has placed within you, remain steadfast in your purpose, and do not lose heart when the journey becomes difficult. With faith, perseverance, discipline, and courage, you can continue moving forward even when progress feels slow, knowing that every step taken in obedience and diligence has meaning.

I have learned this through my own journey. Each challenge strengthened my faith, refined my purpose, and taught me to trust God’s timing while continuing to grow with humility and determination. That same faith and commitment shaped my career and ultimately led me to write my first book, The Crown or the Clown.

One of my greatest challenges—and opportunities—in this season is learning to maintain balance while faithfully serving others. As my responsibilities continue to grow as an associate minister, mentor, and counselor, I am reminded that caring for myself is not separate from my calling; it is part of stewarding the work God has entrusted to me. I must extend to myself the same commitment, compassion, and intentionality that I offer to those I support. I give myself grace, knowing that God’s grace is continually at work within me, providing strength, endurance, and a renewed desire to do His will for my life. As I often remind others: His will, His way, and His when…His timing. For me, daily grace means remaining grounded, relaxed, aware, centered, and energized for the purpose God has called me to fulfill.

I remain grounded through prayer and through the support of seven God-called, God-anointed, and appointed friends who encourage and support me. I also make intentional time for activities that restore my energy, including going to the gym, traveling, and taking personal time to reflect and recharge. My encouragement to others is this: give yourself permission to pause, seek God’s guidance, receive the support He places around you, and care for yourself well so you can continue serving with wisdom, strength, and purpose.

One of my deepest personal values is being a positive influence in the lives of others. I believe in creating space for people to discover their own path, and I never want to be the voice that tells someone what they cannot become. Through life coaching, encouragement, and intentional listening, I seek to help others recognize their potential and move forward with confidence.

This commitment is deeply personal to me. I often think about the kind of support I wish I had received earlier in life—someone walking beside me, listening without judgment, and offering steady guidance. That desire has shaped the way I show up for others. I see this work as part of my legacy, not because it is about recognition, but because it reflects the impact I hope to leave through motivation, compassion, and possibility.

Authenticity is another value that has guided me throughout my journey. I have always remained grounded in who I am, even in spaces where I stood out. As the only woman and the only African American in my classes at Mississippi State, I learned the importance of showing up fully, humanizing myself, and allowing my presence to speak with confidence and purpose.

I also value grace—especially the grace I have had to learn to extend to myself. Over the last five years, I have become more intentional about pacing myself, taking necessary breaks, and protecting the energy required to serve well. I have learned that rest is not a weakness; it is part of sustaining the work. When I give myself that grace, I am able to return with renewed focus, strength, and purpose.

My passion is rooted in helping people step into the light they need in order to grow. I am especially drawn to smaller venues, churches, and communities filled with extraordinary women who may not always have access to larger platforms or opportunities. I do not see them as underdogs; I see them as powerful individuals who deserve to be seen, supported, and encouraged.

“Life Long Learning” is also central to who I am. I remain committed to staying current, understanding generational trends, and meeting people where they are. My goal is to lead with authenticity, serve with compassion, and use every opportunity to bring light, encouragement, and meaningful impact to the lives of others.

Ultimately, I want my life and work to reflect the values I hold most closely: authenticity, grace, service, and the belief that every person deserves encouragement, opportunity, and the light needed to become all they are capable of being.