Linda Duncombe, a longtime banking executive who spent the last two years as an independent film producer, died on Sunday of complications from a stroke. An infectiously friendly face at industry events, Duncombe — who was diagnosed with Stage 2 lung cancer days before she died — served for five years as chief marketing officer at City National Bank. She helped direct more than $12 million in investments tied to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Broadway Cares, SAG-AFTRA and the Grammy Museum.
Duncombe’s last public appearance was at the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s The Evening Before the Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 13, where she reunited with friends and rubbed shoulders with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Born on Feb. 10, 1971 in Australia, where she spent the early years of her life, Duncombe enrolled in Harvard Business School in 2008. She officially moved to the United States in 2015; first living in New York and then in an apartment near the beach in Santa Monica.
She produced two films: the family adventure “The Queen’s Jewels” and suspense thriller “Killing Time.” Both films are planning a global release in 2027, and Duncombe was intricately involved in all elements of production from financing to publicity. In the last few years, she finally realized her calling as a producer, which made her beam even more. This is a devastating loss, and I will miss Linda so much.” Duncombe began her decades-long banking career at Citibank in Australia in 2010 as marketing director of digital and customer experience and rose to managing director, head of growth and chief marketing officer.
Five years later, she transferred to New York as a founding member of the company’s subsidiary, Citi Fintech. She joined City National Bank in Los Angeles in early 2019, establishing business, sponsorship and community relations with organizations like SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the Recording Academy, the Motion Picture Television Fund and Tribeca Film Festival. During the pandemic, she led efforts at City National Bank to deliver more than $1.8 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans to support the entertainment industry.
At City National Bank, she quickly became friends with Variety staffers while working to keep the magazine’s annual Broadway breakfast afloat during COVID. Over the years, the event has attracted theater mainstays from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Rachel Zegler. She was fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and embraced life with so much passion and heart.
It is hard to fathom that her brilliant light has gone out.” Duncombe’s friends remember her sunny spirit, boisterous and infectious laugh, unbridled optimism and passion for new experiences. She took pride in mentoring younger generations and was deeply loyal to those in her orbit. Duncombe’s inner circle included her producing partner and best friend Josh Friedman, who was always by her side at industry events.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
