Commander, NORAD and Commander, US Northern Command (May 2016-May 2018), Commander, Pacific Air Forces (Oct 2014-May 2016)
As a combatant Commander, General Lori Robinson was the most senior military woman to serve in the United States Department of Defense and draws on her unique challenges as a powerful woman in a world dominated by men to discuss leadership, overcoming obstacles, and the state of U.S. national security.
General Lori J. Robinson retired from the Air Force in July 2018 following a 37-year military career, including Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command (NORTHCOM). In those positions, she commanded 1,600 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and civilians from the United States and Canada.
Prior to her command of NORAD and US NORTHCOM, she was the Commander, United States Air Forces Pacific, responsible for 45,000 Airmen to deliver combat air power throughout the Pacific Theater. She exerted direct global influence representing the Chief of Staff of the Air Force in meetings with heads of state and political and military leaders throughout the Pacific.
General Robinson served in many other senior leadership positions including Director of Joint Capabilities Development (J-8) reporting to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Director of Air Force Legislative Liaison on Capitol Hill reporting directly to the Secretary of the Air Force, responsible for budget issues and coordination with political leadership in the House and Senate. Earlier in her career, she commanded the Air Force’s only Airborne Warning and Control Wing (AWACS) including command of combat units engaged in the Middle East.
General Robinson has earned two Master’s degrees. She is currently serving as a non-resident senior fellow in the Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at the Brookings Institution and is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Belfer Center at Harvard. She was also named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2016, and Time’s Firsts Women Leaders in 2017. General Robinson continues to serve as a role model and mentor to career-minded men and women who seek to balance the demands of a career with personal and family responsibilities. She is married to Major General (Ret) David A. Robinson.
Gen Robinson had the privilege to command through many different situations, from peace to crisis. She will use her experiences and highlight keys to success and how to avoid pitfalls, all from lessons she learned. While these are certainly military examples, she will mold them to any audience.
Crisis Management and Peak Performance
High performing organizations must function through all facets of their operations. Gen Robinson can address thoughts on dealing with crisis management to lead an organization to peak performance. She will also talk about the importance of having an organization operate at its peak, and the leadership it takes keep it there.
Reaching for the Sky: Being a Powerful Woman in a World Dominated by Men
As a combatant Commander, General Robinson was the most senior female to serve on multiple levels of military command and regales audiences with her experiences and lessons learned. As Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), she commanded 1,600 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and civilians from the United States and Canada. General Robinson draws on her experience as a Senior military woman in the department of defense to empower women to grab their seat at the table.
The State of US National Security in our Airspace
Drawing on her 36 years in the U.S. Air Force, Lori Robinson offers her insight on the state of U.S. National Security. As the Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), she reported directly to the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada. General Robinson was responsible for early warning and engagement of air and space threats to the United States and Canada, including the ballistic missile threats from North Korea. She guides audiences through her experiences to reflect on U.S. national security today.