Our Executive Mentors

Elizabeth Robinson, PHD

The Honorable Elizabeth (Beth) Robinson currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the largest air line pilot union in the world. Prior to joining ALPA, Dr. Robinson worked as the CFO of NASA, having been confirmed the U.S. Senate on Nov. 5, 2009. As CFO, Dr. Robinson ensured the financial health of the organization, including responsibility for ensuring that NASA resources are effectively employed toward the achievement of NASA's strategic plan. She managed the organization's budget and financial operations, directed the preparation and submission of annual financial and budgetary reports, and coordinated agency financial management activities with other federal agencies.

Prior to joining NASA, Dr. Robinson was the senior-most Office of Management and Budget career official, responsible for supporting the OMB Director in developing, publishing, and enacting the President's Budget request. As Assistant Director for Budget, she provided leadership in the preparation of budget proposals, database and documents; development and review of budget estimates; and development of budget procedures and budget accounting concepts.

Before becoming Assistant Director for Budget in September, 2005, Robinson served as the Deputy Director for the Congressional Budget Office, where she assisted the Director in the overall management of the organization and represented CBO on the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board.

Previously, Dr. Robinson served as OMB's Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Review and Concepts. Her primary responsibilities included overseeing the development of the President's discretionary budget request and associated budget documents; revisions to agency guidance and congressional scoring rules; issues arising in the execution of the budget; proposals for and Congressional action on appropriation bills; and policy analysis projects.

Prior to joining OMB's Budget Review Division, she worked as the OMB Program Examiner for energy issues, including the defense, intelligence, fossil energy, and science programs at the Department of Energy.

Dr. Robinson earned a Bachelor's Degree in Physics from Reed College as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.