Not for Revitalization Partners’ Senior Director Jan Heald Robinson, who is profiled in this month’s national Journal of Corporate Renewal, published by the Turnaround Management Association.
Read about Jan’s fascinating career journey and the insights she offers for women who want to follow in her footsteps. So proud that she is on OUR team!
November 25, 2024
Women in Workouts (link to article)
While few women would argue about the existence of a glass ceiling in business, some find ways to rise above it. That’s the aim of Jan Heald Robinson, as she leverages her expertise in restructuring and change management to help companies overcome their toughest challenges.
A native of Pacific Northwest, Robinson, senior director at Revitalization Partners, brings a world of experience to the table in her dealings with banks, boards, and investors. The international reference stems from her work with legal, financial, and advisory firms across the United States, as well as those in Europe and Asia.
While Robinson’s career has focused on strategic corporate initiatives and setting up proper financial controls and systems, the outcomes she has produced stand out. Her ability to consistently deliver profits while meeting the needs of global customers, banks, and investors has established her as a recognized expert in cash management processes and systems.
“Many women travel a career path for years before finding the best part of the trail,” she said. “I found mine when I entered the world of corporate restructuring, utilizing my experience in prior roles as a CFO, treasurer, and controller. Those corporate finance skills inform the counsel and insights I can provide clients in areas like debt and equity financing, mergers and acquisitions, finance and sales operations, performance management, and international expansion.”
Robinson’s advice to women seeking professional success is rooted in flexibility, resourcefulness, and relationship building. She emphasizes the importance of assessing the situation with the relationships necessary for success in any project or role and hiring talented associates to build a formidable team. That philosophy is reflected in her extensive involvement in public service and professional organizations, which has contributed to her professional growth and network of influence.
Thinking & Acting Globally
A big picture thinker, Robinson’s outlook and interests are broad, holding degrees in economics as well as Middle East studies. While she has never worked in the Middle East, her comfort with languages and cultures there has made it easy for her to work in corporate roles and with clients spanning Europe, the United Kingdom, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Mexico.
Robinson is sometimes asked if she has experience in a particular industry, whether in a corporate role or a client opportunity. The answer is often no, as most of the roles she has entered represented her first exposure to that particular industry or market segment. This adaptability and willingness to tackle new challenges have been key to her success.
“It’s important to be able to think outside the box,” Robinson said. “For example, I once learned of a complex restructuring case. When I advised my colleagues at my firm about this possibility, but they were hesitant, saying, ‘We don’t do convalescent homes.’ So, from there, I repositioned the business as ‘real estate’ and ‘operations,’ which led to them winning the job.”
Diversity in Action
Robinson believes that banks, law firms, and consulting firms can attract and recruit more women and minorities into banking and workouts by creating more inclusive environments, offering mentorship programs, and actively promoting diversity in leadership roles.
In her leadership role with RMA as well as corporate roles, for example, Robinson set in place mentoring programs, buddy systems for new hires, weekly one-on-ones with her direct reports, weekly cross-functional team meetings, and development planning. The latter included a successful campaign to convince her firm to cover law school tuition costs for one of her subordinates.
It is just one example of a female corporate finance professional who believes in the power of paying it forward—and reinvesting the dividends that inevitably follow.
