Woman Of The Year Nominee: Anna-Kathryn Robinson

Only 32 years old, Anna-Kathryn Robinson is already working to improve people's lives through a varied state of volunteerism.

by Jennifer Wheelock

December 1, 2005

W hen asked for a word of advice, Anna-Kathryn Robinson gives just that - one word: "Listen," she says. And she takes her own advice. As a financial consultant, Robinson's in the business of listening. "It's hard to give people advice and guidance if you don't pay attention to what their needs and aspirations are," says Robinson. The trait also serves her well in her volunteer work, and in turn serves others. Though her career is in finance, Robinson studied English and theater in college, and one of her favorite quotes comes from the playwright George Bernard Shaw: "This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

Tell me about your volunteer work. Is it targeted toward a specific community, either geographically or otherwise?
My community work is born of a lot of influence. My parents are both public servants and very involved with their community. I am working with a local, a community and a national cause. On the local level, I work with a boys' home in Clarkston, Positive Growth. We are committed to working with children who need temporary homes and caring environments that will change their life courses and bridge the gaps in their development as future leaders of our communities. Our end goal is to reunite these young men with their families. Community-wise, I live on Piedmont Park and I work with the Conservancy to maintain our park. I also work on a committee to expand our new Green Market that is held in the park in the summer, and aims to support local and statewide commerce. My national work is with the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign. Our focus is to educate and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women of all ages. I thought, like a lot of people, that heart disease is for older people, but now know that heart disease is not age discriminate. I have met survivors who range in age from birth to teenagers to adults. When you look at these people's faces and hear their stories, it really begs you to understand and realize that this is not an issue facing only older people. It is your unborn daughter, your college roommate, your colleague, your sister, your spouse.

Do your professional life and your charitable life feed each other or conflict?
[They] feed each other. Women have three main concerns: security, security and community. The first two have to be met before we feel comfortable giving to the third. Security for ourselves, security for our families - foremost. Once those two have been addressed, we are able to give to our community. We feel like we need a windfall to carefully plan and address these issues, but the reality is that we need to be educated and have a financial plan that will free us up to give to our community. My professional job is to help women address these first two issues so that they are free to do what is in our hearts and makeup to do in the first place.  The inherent idea is that you have to wait to get involved until you have more time, the kids are grown, you have the money, etc. Trust me, your time is a commodity that is unparalleled and one that is so important. Don't wait. You are cheating yourself if you do.

People have the impression that your field is primarily a man's field? Is this true?
Maybe in the past, but times change. Some of my greatest mentors in business have been men: my husband, my father, previous bosses.

In the aftermath of such national tragedies as Hurricane Katrina, there is always a surge in volunteerism and charitable giving. Do you have any ideas about how to keep Americans more consistently active in this realm?
As I said before, if Americans would take responsibility for themselves fiscally - and this is not an unattainable goal - they would feel freer to give and impact others. When I came to work with Smith-Barney, I heard an incredible story. A woman with a sizable account with our firm had directed upon her death for this account to be bequeathed to a charity. She passed away and the charity was called to request wiring instructions for their account. The charity asked who the woman was. The consultant responded, "I would have thought that you knew." A few hours later, the charity called back and reported, "This woman has given $100 a year to our organization for the past 23 years. We had no idea we would be the benefactors of such generosity at her death." Think of what she would have seen accomplished in her lifetime if she had just felt comfortable giving.

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Anna-Kathryn Robinson
Financial Consultant, Smith-Barney
Age: 32
Birthplace: Memphis, TN
Family: Husband John, Mom Elsa, Dad Ron, brothers Deforest and Ben
Hobbies: Reading, spending time with family