Linde Hoffman ’20

Major: Political Science and Spanish

Safely and sustainably shrinking the criminal justice system

Guided by a deep commitment to justice and human dignity, Linde Hoffman ’20 has dedicated her career to reforming the criminal justice system and restoring hope for impacted communities. Now a state engagement manager at Recidiviz, a nonprofit tech company spun out of Google that aims at safely and sustainably shrinking the criminal justice system, Hoffman first realized her passion for criminal justice reform through the Center for Social Concerns (CSC, now the Institute for Social Concerns) at Notre Dame. In 2017, she participated in the Inside Out program, a CSC seminar that partnered undergraduates with justice-impacted individuals in Westville Correctional Facility,an experience that greatly impacted Hoffman. Each week, the cohort learned how to “Rethink Crime and Justice.” 

Before Recidiviz, Hoffman worked for the Center for Innovations in Community Safety at Georgetown Law Center, helping to develop and implement a police training program aimed at preventing unnecessary use of force and promoting officer health and wellness. Her first year post-grad, she completed a year of service with Amate House in Chicago, where she served as a reentry case manager and instructor in the women’s division of Cook County Jail. 

Hoffman graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2020 with  degrees in political science and Spanish. She served as the Chief of Staff for the Boyle-McGuire administration of Notre Dame Student Government and was selected by University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., ’76, ’78 M.A. to assist in the COVID-19 response. Hoffman also enjoyed cheering for Notre Dame football and is a proud Lewis Hall Chick. She is currently a part-time master of public policy student at Georgetown University.