With boundless energy, Linda Kafka is a trade resource for the residential interior design industry. She is a subject matter specialist, inclusive design advocate and one of Canada’s go to  experts on living in place and wellness in the home. Linda is the Principal of the Living In Place Network, an international community of professionals focused on living and aging in place.  She is the driving force behind Canada's newly launched LivABLE Environment Conference and the host of the LivABLE By Design Podcast, where she interviews global industry professionals from the built environment in order to share their expertise with her listeners. As the Director of Trade Relations for Caplan’s Appliances, she has the opportunity to work directly with design professionals and their clients on kitchen projects to ensure they understand what makes a kitchen inclusive and well.

With over thirty years of experience in marketing, Linda is the consummate marketing and sales professional. She is known for building community and supporting the Canadian residential design industry through education, industry events, masterclass programs, networking and training. She is a Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) through the National Association of Home Builders and a Certified Living In Place Professional  (CLIPP) through the Living In Place Institute. She is also Canada’s Ambassador for the Living In Place Institute, which is endorsed by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.  Linda is active with the WELL Building Standards, supporting their architectural initiative as she focuses on becoming an accredited WELL professional. Recently she  completed several Universal Design courses with the University of Buffalo Architectural Program and is currently working on her Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification.

Linda joined the interior design community in 2009, where she spearheaded the revitalization of  SOFA: Source of Furniture and Accessories, Canada’s only trade design centre located at the International Centre, Mississauga (Now called Toronto International Design Centre).    During her tenure she held Board positions with the Design and Decorating Association of Canada (DDA), Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), Furniture Bank and the Canadian Furniture Show. In addition she spent numerous years volunteering and supporting ARIDO, NKBA, BILD, CMG and TSA.  Today, Linda is an accomplished and recognized industry partner.

With a passion for living in place, Linda focuses her efforts on helping the trades grow their business in this emerging niche market.   She supports the movement towards Canada becoming one of the most accessible countries; “a place where our homes are built to include everyone and that our spaces adjust to us over the course of an entire lifetime”.  As a result, Linda does her part by consistently advocating for the design/build trades to create beautiful, comfortable and safe environments that seamless incorporate features so spaces are tailored towards inclusion, accessibility and wellness.  She  believes “every home, should be designed for a lifespan, so our spaces adapt to our changing needs regardless of age, income, size or ability.” 

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