Quinetta Roberson, Ph.D. is the Fred J. Springer Endowed Chair in Business Leadership at Villanova University. Prior to her current position, she was a tenured member of the faculty at Cornell University. She has also been a visiting scholar at universities on every continent, except for Antarctica. Prior to getting her doctorate, Dr. Roberson worked as a financial analyst at CoreStates Bank in Philadelphia, PA serving in both the large corporate and small business commercial lending areas.
Dr. Roberson has published over 20 scholarly journal articles and book chapters and edited a Handbook of Diversity in the Workplace published by Oxford Press in 2013. She has over 18 years of experience facilitating courses and workshops globally on leadership, talent management, and diversity. She also serves as a consultant for private and public organizations in the areas of strategic planning, capacity building through people, and leadership development.
However, don't mistake her for a conventional university professor. This self proclaimed international woman of mystery is as daring and elegant as they come.
From why she believes every day is an occasion to express her personal style to why she believes in taking the path less traveled, read on to see why she inspires us and lives #realityisextraordinary.
What do you do?
By title, a management professor. By trade, a researcher, teacher, and consultant. By spirit, a traveler, constant learner, and international woman of mystery.
What do you love about what you do?
I love almost everything about my job, the opportunity to impact students' lives, the platform to conduct research that brings about social change, being surrounded by brilliant people, etc. What I don't love is grading, as everyone wants an "A", but doesn't necessarily do "A" work.
Where are you from?
Philadelphia. North Philadelphia. Not Brewerytown; not Northern Liberties. North Philadelphia.
Education?
- BA in Finance & Accounting from the University of Delaware
- MBA in Finance & Strategic Planning from the University of Pittsburgh
- Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the University of Maryland at College Park
Sign?
Quintessentially, Scorpio.
Favorite Americae items and why?
- The Velvet Satin Reversible Kimono Coat: The moment I saw it, I fell in love. There's something about pink velvet that says "I'm extraordinary" and the kimono gives a sense of unbothered luxury. The fact that it's reversible is just icing on the elegantly colorful cake.
Who do you think embodies the Americae Woman and why?
I actually think that María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño, or Carolina Herrera as she's known today, expresses an Americae woman. While it may seem unusual to pick a designer as a personification of another luxury brand, I think that she is a perfect example. Constantly described as a woman of "exceptional personal style," her aesthetic and elegance come through in everything she does, which also typifies the Americae woman. Mrs. Herrera, like the Americae woman, is creative and forward-looking but maintains an unwavering level of taste and style. Further, her Venezuelan heritage provides a unique palette to further express her particular charm, which is also true of Americae.
Describe your style and why is it authentically you?
I like to think of my style as approachable and exceptional. As someone who is used to being the "only one" (woman, African-American, etc.) in an environment, I've learned to use my uniqueness as an opportunity. I love unique yet well-designed, signature pieces that you don't often see. I also believe that every day is an occasion, so you will likely see me wearing one of those pieces on any given day. I like to develop a look around that piece as the attraction and in a way that a passerby feels compelled to stop me to ask where I got the item. As a social person, my style is one of my conversation-starters.
What drives you?
Impossibility. If you want to get me to do something, tell me that it can't be done.
What's on your bookshelf?
I'm a closeted bibliophile, so I have fiction, nonfiction, business, biographies, memoirs, psychology, etc. on the bookshelf. I'm sure there's research to suggest that you should finish reading one book before moving to another one, but I like to always have a fiction and nonfiction on-deck. I'm currently reading "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi and "Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street" by Michael Davis.
Next or favorite travel destination?
As a hodophile, I am currently on three passports and 41 countries. It's hard to pick a favorite given that each place has its own fascination and beauty. For my next adventure, I've got my eyes on the Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius.
What's next for you?
Professionally, I'm working on a book proposal. Personally, I'm planning for my wedding in June 2019.
What's your personal motto or what message would you like to share with women?
One of my favorite quotes is: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost
