CAREERS

Dr. Robin Martin is a transformative leader and the visionary behind Navigating Courage, a framework and consultancy dedicated to empowering leaders and organizations to build courageous, human-centered communities. With over 20 years of experience across social impact investment, higher education, and strategic leadership, Dr. Martin blends strategy, compassion, and activism, rooted in the African philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because you are.” Her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering interconnected leadership, shared responsibility, and meaningful change.

   

Dr. Martin brings a wealth of diverse experience to her work. She has held senior leadership roles such as Deputy Director of Strategy, Planning, and Management at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she oversaw a $128 million initiative to transform higher education. She also served as Associate Provost and Senior Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Cincinnati while contributing as a tenure-track faculty member. As a certified executive coach, she helps leaders align their values with their actions, fostering both personal growth and systemic change.

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Central to her work is the Navigating Courage framework, which she developed to inspire leaders to move beyond fear and embrace actionable courage. In her 2018 book, Navigating Courage: Leading Beyond Fear, Dr. Martin shares personal stories, research, and strategies to help leaders address inequity and injustice. Through four guiding principles—Be Human, Be in Community, Be Curious, and Be Courageous—she trains leaders to develop empathy, foster collaboration, cultivate curiosity, and act with integrity, even in the face of adversity.

A lifelong learner and mentor, Dr. Martin finds inspiration in the diverse perspectives of those she works with. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and exploring off-trail hiking adventures.

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Dr. Martin’s work is a testament to her unwavering dedication to strategic and human-centered leadership. She is building a global movement to dismantle systemic injustices and advance a world where humanity, equity, and dignity take center stage.

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A lifelong learner and mentor, Dr. Martin finds inspiration in the diverse perspectives of those she works with. Outside of her professional commitments, she enjoys playing tennis, cooking, and exploring off-trail hiking adventures.

​​

Dr. Martin’s work is a testament to her unwavering dedication to strategic and human-centered leadership. She is building a global movement to dismantle systemic injustices and advance a world where humanity, equity, and dignity take center stage.

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