Dr. Sheila Robinson
Resilience and Reinvention
“My commitment today and every day is to actively support women in reaching their highest potential.”
Dr. Sheila Robinson
From Dr. Cole: “I am profoundly fortunate to know and work with Dr. Sheila Robinson. In each of the ways that we continue to interact, I am struck by her extraordinary smarts, integrity, courage, kindness, tenacity, and commitment to supporting the leadership and executive development of women of all races, cultures, and backgrounds.”
From Dr. Robinson: “Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole is a dear mentor and sister-friend who continues to be a strong and positive influence in my life. We are Sorors in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority who met when Dr. Cole was the president of Bennett College and we were both activists in efforts that strongly supported women. We developed a close and multifaceted relationship that is captured in my addressing Johnnetta Betsch Cole by referencing all of the roles that she plays in my life: surrogate mother, mentor, sister-friend, Soror and colleague. It is a blessing to have Dr. Cole in my life.”
Resilience has been defined as the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties and Dr. Sheila Robinson exemplifies that. Her remarkable ability to reinvent herself and her willingness to invest in herself through education have led to a highly successful career, lifting thousands of others along the way. A celebrated publisher, author, and advocate for equity and inclusion, Dr. Robinson continues to learn, grow and make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless women.
Raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she overcame her father’s death at age 10, guided by her mother’s mantra, “Work for what you want.” After high school, Sheila Robinson attended North Carolina Central University (NCCU,) a historically Black university known for its academic excellence and commitment to social justice, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Law/Political Science.
Her remarkable journey from Market Research Assistant at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company to the executive level at Dupont showcases her strength and ingenuity. Working on the factory floor, she advanced to directing communications for a $6 billion division. When that division was sold, Sheila Robinson reinvented herself and founded Robinson & Associates Communications, LLC, and she launched North Carolina Career Network, a regional magazine.
After attending Stanford University’s Professional Publishing Program, Ms. Robinson launched Diversity Woman magazine under Diversity Woman Media, with100,000 copies sold nationwide. Then she was struck by the financial fallout in 2008 that affected many people. In addition to
her business failing, she was going through a divorce.
Never one to quit, she reinvented her company by hosting events. This worked incredibly well and Diversity Woman Media roared back to life. Ms. Robinson was named one of the Top 50 Women in Magazine Publishing by Publishing Executive magazine. Over two decades, this powerhouse platform of Diversity Woman magazine and transformative conferences grew into a multifaceted company, promoting the development of women of all backgrounds.
A lifelong learner, Sheila Robinson attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Master’s and Doctor of Education in Talent Management and Women’s Leadership. She also earned a Chief Learning Officer Certificate from Wharton and was certified as an executive coach. Her innate business savvy coupled with powerful education made Dr. Sheila Robinson the business powerhouse she is today.
The author of three books, Dr. Robinson has served on advisory boards for Simmons College Institute for Inclusive Leadership and Paradigm for Parity. She is a media partner with Catalyst and Executive Leadership Council and currently serves on advisory boards for The Walt Disney Company and the HollyRod Foundation. She has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Entrepreneur, HuffPost, and Publishing Executive. And she was inducted into The HistoryMakers, the nation’s largest African American video oral history collection.
In 2025 she received the HBCU Living Legend Award. With her wonderful sense of humor, she said“I have received this award because I’m old enough to be a legend who is still living!”
In February 2025, Diversity Woman Media became Executive Woman Media, and features Executive Woman Magazine and a new podcast. Dr. Robinson and her colleagues are actively planning for her 20th Anniversary National Business Leadership Conference that will take place on Nov 6 and 7, 2025, with this title: “The new Rules of Leadership: Reimagine Reach, Rise.” To register go to https://www.executivewomanmedia.com /
Sheila Robinson’s impressive legacy reminds us that when one door closes, keep checking the knobs on other doors until you find one that will open. Her resilience, tenacity and ongoing commitment to lifting others makes her a true changemaker.
With her resilience and tenacity, Dr. Sheila Robinson advocates for:
- equity and inclusion
- leadership excellence
- mentoring of girls and women
- lifelong learning
- self-care and wellbeing
Lessons from Dr. Sheila Robinson’s Life
Transform Adversity into Opportunity Through Resilience and Reinvention Dr. Sheila Robinson’s journey began in the face of systemic barriers as an African American woman in corporate America. When her division in DuPont was sold, her job loss precipitated her entrepreneurial pivot to launch the North Carolina Career Network magazine and Diversity Woman Media. Her story teaches us that adversity is not a dead end but a doorway to reinvention.
What other people think and do is not a reflection of you. As a speaker who trains others in emotional intelligence, Dr. Robinson has learned how to confront ignorance with empathy and to not take others’ comments or behavior personally. It’s a lesson we all could benefit from.
Lifelong Learning Propels Success Dr. Sheila Robinson never stops learning, and as she says, “I believe that when you learn something, you have to apply it personally and professionally.” From her degree at NCCU to a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania, and certifications from Stanford, Wharton, and Cornell, Dr. Robinson’s education has undoubtedly contributed significantly to her business success.
Action Steps You Can Take:
- When one door closes, another opens. What door has closed on you that led you to a much better opportunity, personally or professionally? Journal about that.
- What courses or certifications could you earn to expand your learning? Investigate online courses that would advance your career.
- Consider your life and the times you have faced and overcome adversity. Give yourself credit for moving forward, no matter what.
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