How a Woman of Influence Empowers Other Women

March is Women's History Month, which commemorates and celebrates the vital role of women throughout history. In honor of Women’s History Month, Smithbucklin is celebrating one of our own female executives who’s making history at Smithbucklin, in the association world, and beyond.

Each year, Association Forum presents its Woman of Influence award to a female trailblazer in the association industry who has demonstrated a proven track record of innovation, impact, and paying it forward through coaching, mentoring, and service to others. 

In 2022, the award was presented to Robin Rone, a Smithbucklin executive director serving Apra, and the Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Smithbucklin. Rone also serves as chair of Smithbucklin’s inCouncil – the organization’s champions of change and organizational stewards who are passionate about achieving a culture of inclusion. Rone was chosen from a select group of talented women in recognition for her efforts to cultivate diverse and inclusive workplaces for Smithbucklin and the associations, societies, and communities it serves.

“Robin approaches all of her work with unparalleled passion and compassion,” says Jim McNeil, President, Association Management at Smithbucklin. “She has made significant contributions to our cultural competency and has driven progress on all of our inCouncil strategies for our company and clients. It is an honor to work beside Robin and to have the opportunity to learn from her wisdom.”

Rone’s career in associations started with the American Bar Association (ABA), a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students. While accepting her award, Rone thanked the ABA and the women there who supported her and helped her grow. Rone also thanked Smithbucklin – an organization that is 72% female – for giving her the opportunity to pursue her passion for DEI within Smithbucklin and the associations it serves.

In her speech, Rone provided professional women with a valuable piece of advice – placing importance on Shine Theory. Rone explained that Shine Theory, the practice of mutual investment in each other, can be thought of specifically in terms of female professional and personal relationships. Rone is dedicated to following Shine Theory in her own life, and emphasized how important it is for women to support one another, cultivate long-term relationships and, ultimately, help each other shine.

To wrap up her speech, Rone motivated women to empower each other by saying, “I encourage all of us to shine, and know that we’re not shining unless we’re all shining.”