Robert is the Client Success Director at Engage Mentoring, helping companies attract, develop, and retain a diverse population of employees by developing leaders through mentorship. His role is to support colleges and universities looking to make a significant impact with their students by offering the Developing Leaders Fellows program, to help them successfully transition into the workforce.
With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he discovered a strong passion for developing talent, particularly diverse talent, and that access to relationships is a critical component in successful retention and engagement. He has committed to this passion by becoming a certified mentor and continuing to pour into others to help inspire the next generation of future leaders.
How does your role help contribute to the growth and success of Engage Mentoring?
I believe that building genuine connections and relationships with people is one of my greatest strengths and helps contribute to the Engage Mentoring Community.
Coffee or tea? Black or milk and sugar?
Always coffee, always iced. It could be 10 below…still iced. I have some sort of aversion to hot beverages.
What causes do you care about?
LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Women’s Advocacy, Education
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? Why does it resonate with you?
A setback is really just a set-up for a comeback! Taking a negative experience and manifesting it into a positive future possibility really agrees with my optimistic nature.
What book or movie do you always recommend?
Book: The Color of Water by James McBride
Movie: Mean Girls, just because it is so FETCH!
What animal best represents you?
I really had to think outside of the box on this one, but I guess I would say a dolphin because I am enthusiastic, creative, and engaging.
Do you like listening to music or podcasts while you work? What is your favorite?
I do not typically listen to music or podcasts while working. If the occasion does arise, I am usually listening to songs from the 1920’s-1940’s, or my guilty pleasure…. The 9021OMG Podcast
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I guess one accomplishment that I am very proud of is that I graduated with my Bachelor’s from San Francisco State University in 3 ½ years while working two jobs. That required a lot of dedication and sacrifice and I look back at that time and I am still amazed that I made it through that period of my life!