Robin Athey

Research Director, Organizational Performance, Deloitte Services LP

Robin leads Deloitte’s research on the human aspects of organizational performance.  Her work seeks to advance leaders’ thinking on a broad range of topics, such as innovation, organizational knowledge and learning, talent management, diversity, and group performance.  She has authored numerous studies and articles, teaming with faculty from MIT, Harvard, and INSEAD.  Her current research challenges traditional approaches to managing talent and offers a fresh perspective in light of emerging trends.  Her model serves as the basis for the talent strategies of the US firm of Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu.  Her work has been cited in major media around the world, such as ABC World News, The Times, Investors’ Business Daily, and The Globe and Mail.  She has presented at conferences and led executive roundtables in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.  She sits on several councils, including the Learning Innovations Laboratory (LILA) at Harvard University; the Executive Development Network; the Network Roundtable at the University of Virginia; and the Working Knowledge council at Babson College.  She has also served on the board of the United Nations Association.

Prior to joining Deloitte Research, Ms. Athey worked as VP of global Production and Quality at a subsidiary of Nike and was a consultant with Kurt Salmon Associates.  She has lived and worked in eight countries across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union. She holds a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida; an M.A. in International Economic Policy from Columbia University; and an advanced certificate in HR and Organizational Development from Columbia University and the University of Michigan.  She is also certifying as an executive coach.