Her Story
About Dr. Vickie
Dr. Vickie J. Robinson is an organizational development and leadership professional with more than 20 years of organizational development experience and more than 10 years of human resources experience. She currently serves as an Organizational Development & Leadership Representative at Newport News Shipbuilding, where she applies her expertise as an internal consultant in organizational development, change, leadership development, and performance improvement. Her earlier career includes leadership training and professional development, and internal consulting positions with ARDX, the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia State University, and Dollar Tree Stores, giving her broad experience across organizational development, workforce development, talent management, performance consulting, and corporate training. Robinson completed her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation at Wilmington University in 2025, building upon her Master of Science in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is also a Gallup Strengths Coach and an Advanced Organizational Development Certified Candidate. Her professional interests and academic research focus particularly on leadership, women in leadership, organizational development, and the importance of recognizing diverse approaches to effective leadership. She advocates for leadership grounded in empathy, humility, compassion, authenticity, trust, and service, while maintaining accountability and strong organizational standards. A purpose-driven leader, Robinson believes that leadership is a collective journey and that meaningful success is measured not only by personal achievement, but by the number of people who are empowered to grow and succeed. She is passionate about mentorship, continuous learning, and creating opportunities for individuals to recognize and use their unique strengths. Her completion of a doctoral degree represents a significant personal and professional milestone and provides a foundation for contributing her own perspective to conversations about organizational leadership and women in leadership. Through her work, she continues to champion the idea that people can find their voices, claim their place at the table, and create opportunities for others to rise alongside them.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Vickie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, determination, continuous learning, hard work, and a genuine passion for supporting others. My professional journey has required me to balance significant responsibilities while continuing my education, ultimately earning my doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Learning and Innovation.
I have also benefited from the people who have supported my growth and development along the way. I believe strongly in recognizing potential, investing in people, and creating opportunities for others to grow. My commitment to mentorship and leadership development has reinforced my belief that success is not measured solely by individual accomplishments, but also by how many people we help rise along the way.
Completing my doctorate represents one of my most significant accomplishments because it reflects years of discipline, research, critical thinking, perseverance, and dedication to continuous growth. It has also given me a stronger foundation from which to contribute to conversations about organizational development, leadership, and women in leadership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to recognize that I do not have to wait until my professional identity is completely developed before sharing my expertise. Growth happens through experience, learning, reflection, and the willingness to step forward.
I believe it is important to continuously invest in learning, remain open to opportunities for growth, and have the confidence to contribute even while I am still developing. My own journey has reinforced for me that expertise is not something that suddenly appears at the end of a career; it develops through consistent learning, experience, and purposeful action.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Pursue what you are passionate about and never stop learning. Surround yourself with people who genuinely support your growth, challenge you to become better, and encourage you to recognize your own potential.
Never doubt that you belong at the table. Your voice, perspective, and experiences have value. If a seat is not offered to you, remember that you can create a seat for yourself and for others who deserve the opportunity to contribute.
I also encourage young women to embrace their authentic strengths. Leadership does not have to look one particular way. Empathy, humility, compassion, authenticity, trust, and service are not weaknesses; they can be powerful leadership capabilities. Lead with strength and heart, and remain committed to helping others rise with you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see significant opportunities within organizational leadership and development to rethink how organizations identify, develop, and retain talent, particularly women and other individuals whose leadership potential may not always be recognized through traditional models.
My research and professional interests focus on creating stronger leadership pathways and recognizing the value of qualities such as empathy, authenticity, humility, trust, and servant leadership. These qualities are sometimes dismissed as "soft skills," but I believe they can be among the most powerful capabilities a leader can bring to an organization.
The evolving workplace also creates an opportunity for organizational development professionals to help organizations navigate change, strengthen leadership capabilities, foster collaboration, and create environments where people can recognize and use their unique strengths.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is non-negotiable for me, both professionally and personally. I also place tremendous value on determination, continuous learning, empathy, authenticity, humility, trust, and service.
I believe leadership should be grounded in genuine care for people and a commitment to helping others reach their potential. I want my work to create opportunities for people to grow, find their voices, and recognize that they belong.
Ultimately, I view leadership as a collective journey. Success is not only about what I accomplish personally; it is also about how many people I can help lift along the way and the positive impact I leave through mentorship, leadership development, and service.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.