Linda T. James-Rivera

Linda T. James-Rivera is the Founder and Executive Director of Northwest Mutual Aid Collective (NWMAC), a grassroots nonprofit combating food insecurity and food waste in Northwest Philadelphia. Drawing on over 30 years of administrative experience and two decades in management, Linda established NWMAC in 2020 to ensure equitable food access and to center community voices in shaping solutions. Under her leadership, NWMAC has grown from supporting three households to reaching more than 2,500 individuals weekly through home deliveries, community refrigerators, and grassroots partnerships. A lifelong Philadelphian, Linda’s work reflects her deep commitment to dignity, sustainability, and collective care.