Women’s Leadership Student Forum Offers Unique Opportunity

Tomorrow, March 21st at 1:30 p.m., all students are invited to the Women’s Leadership Student Forum in Matthews Auditorium. The first 100 students at the event will receive some McMurry swag! The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Harper, and the guest speaker is General Lori J. Robinson.

“This is an opportunity for the audience to ask questions of a female pioneer in the military field,” University President Dr. Sandra S. Harper said. “We’ll be discussing with General Robinson who inspired her, how she overcame various barriers in her career journey, what advice she might have for the audience members, and what challenges she sees for future leaders. I think students should always take opportunities to learn from people who have ‘been there’ so that they don’t have to make the same mistakes that others have made. Hearing how others have navigated obstacles and challenges can make the road a little easier.”

General Lori J. Robinson retired from the Air Force in July 2018 after a 37-year military career. During this time, she held various leadership roles, including serving as the Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), where she oversaw 1,600 personnel from the United States and Canada.

Before her tenure at NORAD and US NORTHCOM, she commanded the United States Air Forces Pacific, leading 45,000 Airmen in delivering combat air power across the Pacific Theater. General Robinson also represented the Chief of Staff of the Air Force in global meetings with heads of state and other leaders in the Pacific region.

Throughout her career, she held senior leadership positions such as Director of Joint Capabilities Development (J-8) and Director of Air Force Legislative Liaison on Capitol Hill, where she dealt with budget issues and coordinated with political leadership. Earlier in her career, she commanded the Air Force’s Airborne Warning and Control Wing (AWACS) and led combat units in the Middle East.

General Robinson holds two master’s degrees and currently serves as a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, as well as a non-resident Senior Fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center. She has been recognized for her influence, being named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2016 and as part of Time’s Firsts Women Leaders in 2017.

She continues to inspire and mentor individuals navigating the challenges of balancing career aspirations with personal and family commitments. General Robinson is married to Major General (Ret) David A. Robinson.

If you were invited to the Women’s Leadership Luncheon, don’t forget to come before the student forum! It is at 11:45 a.m. in Kimbrell Arena; remember, attire is business casual.