In collaboration with Penn State University, the branch established an endowment to create the AAUW State College Centennial Lectureship to increase knowledge about the advancement of equity for women and girls and to provide an opportunity to engage with the community at large.” The goal was to expose the community to women whose vision and leadership had made a positive difference, and who would serve as role models for a new generation of leaders. 

The venue for the lectureship is the popular Penn State Forum. The Forum was established in 1996 to introduce the university and local community to some of the most notable leaders and policy makers in their professions.  Modeled after the National Press Club, the Forum includes lunch followed by remarks from a distinguished speaker. After the presentation, a facilitator poses questions submitted by members of the audience. The Forum regularly attracts diverse audiences of several hundred people – who have been educated and inspired by nationally and internationally known speakers.

 Learn more about the Forum: https://sites.psu.edu/forum/

Meet Susan Robinson, 2024 AAUW-State College-funded Penn State Forum Speaker

Susan Robinson: Business Leader, Inspirational Speaker, Entrepreneur

Date: October 7, 2024

Location: Penn Stater Conference Center, Dean’s Hall

Title of Talk: Title will be coming soon!

Penn State Alumna Susan Robinson learned during her time at Penn State that she had a genetic visual impairment for which there was no correction or cure and which would leave her legally blind (or partially sighted, as she prefers it). Exemplified by her TED Talk, “How I fail at being disabled,” Susan humorously weaves a meaningful narrative and flips generally-accepted ideas to uncover, challenge and redefine possibility. Susan focuses on salient issues and ambitious outcomes, building bridges to dedicated action and instilling confidence for success.

In her role as business advisor, Susan partners with executive leaders and boards of directors on enterprise-wide issues. Her team-oriented approach draws the best out of others, ensuring success for all. Her previous projects include organizational turnarounds, program launches, leadership workshops for top talent; competitive differentiation and growth assessments, and strategy, horizon and transformation planning. 

Susan is also the Vice President of the Penn State Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and serves as the Chair of the Nominating Committee, as well as an Advisory Board Member for the New York City Chapter. She also serves on the governing boards for the New York State Preferred Source Program for People Who Are Blind, InTandem Cycling and The Pavilion Project.