Lynda Caines joined UITS in the UMass President’s Office in January 2024 as the Director of IT Service Delivery and Operations. However, her first experience with UMass was “the four really great years” when she attended UMass Amherst, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.  She went on to receive her MBA from Simmons University Graduate School of Management.
No stranger to Higher Education and public service, Lynda came to us after seven years as the Service Delivery Manager at Harvard University. Prior to that, for three years, she was the Director of IT Service Delivery for the Commonwealth of Mass Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

woman in red top and black pants stands in front of large cathedral
Lynda Caines at the Dom Cathedral in Cologne, Germany.

When she’s not busy with work and taking care of her family, Lynda indulges in her love for travel, visiting her family in California and countries in Europe, and the Caribbean being her favorite destinations.  Two places on Lynda’s bucket list are Dubai and Southeast Asia.  She also enjoys restaurants of all types; one might even call her a “seafoodie” as she is a self-proclaimed sushi fanatic, highly recommending Karma in Burlington, MA, and Out of the Blue in Davis Square, Somerville.

older darker skin lady on left smiling with lighter skin lady on the right smiling
Lynda and her mother, Regina.


Fun Fact: Lynda was an accomplished figure skater and skier back in the day.  A highlight from her childhood was skating in the Ice Show on The Rink at Rockefeller Center during the holiday tree lighting in New York City.  

Lynda is a selfless volunteer and mentor.  She volunteered as a small claims and conflict resolution mediator in several District Courts.  She also has spent countless hours working with Big Brother/Big Sister and Junior Achievement in group mentor programs.  One group from Charlestown Middle School specifically touched her when they informed Lynda they had never been on a boat.  Lynda courageously and single-handedly organized a boat excursion for these young minds who got to experience dredging the bottom of the ocean floor for treasures.  How’s that for mentoring and giving back?
 

three women and one man smiling with sunglasses along the beach. There is a baby in a stroller looking off to the left.
Family picture: L to R: Lynda, Regina (mother), Kim (sister-in-law), Stephen (brother), and nephew Julien in the stroller.


Lynda’s primary work location is One Beacon Street, but we will see plenty of her at 50 Washington as well.  Be sure to stop and say hello to this very humble colleague we are so fortunate to have on our team.