A powerful storyteller with a powerful story to tell, Dr. Steve L. Robbins has an uncanny ability to inspire people, even in the midst of disrupting and challenging the ways they think about the world. Born in Vietnam, Dr. Robbins immigrated as a little child with his mother to the United States where they faced many challenges during a time when there was much anti-war and anti-Vietnamese sentiment.   

Working through and rising out of the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Los Angeles, Dr. Robbins now brings insightful perspectives on issues of inclusion & innovation, leadership, and the power of caring.  Drawing upon a compelling life journey, his talks and workshops are filled with intriguing stories, laugh-out-loud humor and a keen understanding of human behavior.   

Dr. Robbins uniquely knows how to simultaneously challenge and motivate people with a dynamic use of storytelling, humor and extensive knowledge of pertinent issues and concepts. The inclusive power of his message are why organizations like Amazon, Chase Bank, Coca-Cola, Disney, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft, Pepsi, Pixar, NASA, The NBA, Victoria’s Secret, Walmart and numerous others call on Dr. Robbins to inspire, educate and prepare their people for the exciting challenges of dynamic and diverse environments.  

A thought leader and innovator, Dr. Robbins’ unique, science-based approach to inclusion and diversity has captured wide acclaim from numerous audiences and organizations across the world. His approach does NOT blame or point fingers. It uses neuroscience and the science of human behavior to encourage individuals and organizations to be more open-minded, mindful and intentional about inclusion and valuing people for their unique gifts, abilities and experiences. Dr. Robbins’ newly created HERO Skills (Humility, Empathy, Reflection and Open-mindedness) are being used by many to create more human-centered organizations, ones in which the human brain can perform at its best. 

Dr. Robbins earned an undergraduate degree in Communication from Calvin College, and his masters and doctorate in Communication Science from Michigan State University.  His background in communication, social-psychology and cognitive neuroscience drives his work with individuals and organizations – the core of the work is about understanding human behavior and leveraging human differences fast-paced, dynamic 21st century world. 

Sascha is an ambitious, aspiring physician attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a Junior [third-year] through the UW Posse Program. She is pursuing double majors in Neurobiology and Spanish.

With support from the Wisconsin International Scholars program, she has had the opportunity to view health from a variety of perspectives, having studied abroad across three continents thus far. Her passion for health equity is evident via her volunteer role in hospitals and research on healthcare disparities. By receiving three certificates in Global Health, Chican@/Latin@ studies, and Health Policy alongside her majors, she fortifies her educational development to serve her future patients from underrepresented backgrounds.

Sascha currently researches child emotion at a psychology laboratory in the Waisman Center. She consistently strives to reciprocate positivity and success through mentorship and service within the Posse community, her work as a Resident Advisor, and beyond. She has exemplified her dedication to medicine within her positions as an Undergraduate Plummer Scholar at the Mayo Clinic and as a Neurocritical Care intern in the ICU at NYU Langone Health. Sascha is devoted to taking initiative by providing unique insight that facilitates holistic progress in all her ventures.