Suezette Yasmin Robotham (she/her)

Suezette Yasmin Robotham is a speaker, educator, connector, coach, and leading “Black Girl in Tech.” She has more than a decade of leadership experience, with expertise in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion initiatives, leadership development, strategic planning and relationship building across various industry sectors.

Suezette has been tapped as a speaker by a number of organizations across the U.S. and Canada for her thought leadership in authenticity in the workplace and diversity and inclusion. She has been a featured TEDx Speaker (TEDxBeacon Street 2015). Suezette is passionate about the power that can be realized in spaces where vulnerability, empathy and authenticity are encouraged. She is devoted to using her talents to connect others to the people, opportunities and resources that will help them realize their highest potential.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced and how did you get through it?

A quote I live by is: “You are built not to shrink down to less but to blossom into more.” — Oprah

In my career, I’ve come to learn that challenges are a valuable nutrient in the fertilizer that helped me bloom professionally. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is finding my leadership footing in spaces where my style is fundamentally different from that of the people who typically occupy the space.

Before joining Google, I did a great deal of work in the educational sector, working with large urban school districts and education reform organizations like Teach For America, The New Teacher Project and The Achievement Network. As I transitioned into tech, I had to look at myself and ask an important question — Do I adapt or do I help this space evolve? It became evident to me that I was brought here because I had tremendous value to add.

What’s something you’ve done that you’re really proud of?

I am really proud of myself for traveling the world…BY MYSELF. I think solo travel is, by far, the best thing I have ever given myself permission to do. And I say “permission” because I allow myself to be freely and wholly myself without being held back by fear, worry, doubt or overthinking.

I think that far too often people don’t take the opportunity to see themselves beyond the space they are in or the work that is in front of them. But the options around us are unlimited. I have been blessed to experience new cultures, sights, food, languages, art…even dating…and so much more through my solo adventures to places like Australia, Mexico, Panama, Barbados, France and, most recently, Mauritius.