skip to main content

Leadership That Listens Across Borders

Find Leading With Strengths on all major podcast platforms. Gallup Podcast on iPhone and iPad Clifton Strengths Podcast on Spotify Clifton Strengths Podcast on YouTube

About the Leader

Robin Renee Sanders

Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders

CEO of FEEEDS and Former U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria and Republic of Congo

  • Learner®
  • Strategic®
  • Arranger®
  • Individualization®
  • Achiever®

Ambassador Robin Renee Sanders, Ph.D., has held top U.S. diplomatic roles focused on Africa, including Ambassador to Nigeria and the Republic of Congo, U.S. Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, and White House NSC Director for Africa. She holds a doctorate from Robert Morris University, master’s degrees from Ohio University and a BA from Hampton University. An expert on Africa’s political, economic and security issues, she has testified before Congress and is a frequent media commentator. Her advisory firm — made up of FEEEDS Advocacy Initiative and FE3DS, LLC — focuses on African development, including trade, renewables and housing. She co-hosts an annual Africa event with Gallup World Poll and publishes The FEEEDS Index. A noted philanthropist, Sanders has donated significant artwork to U.S. institutions and funds scholarships for at-risk students. Her honors include the Joint Chiefs of Staff Civilian Honor Award, six State Department awards and the Republic of Congo’s Medal of Honor. She serves on multiple national boards and committees.

"I'm more a lifetime learner than anything else."

Whether they're academic, strategic, political, cultural or just about life in general, the lessons Sanders learns give her meaning and, as she puts it, make her "get up in the morning."

"I want to understand everybody's view."

Sanders' Individualization drives her to engage others with openness and humility, both at home and abroad. When serving as U.S. ambassador in Nigeria, among other places, she sought to learn the culture of each village she visited and approach the people with respect.

"I always try to think four or five steps ahead."

Encouraging her staff to always have a “cuff list” or a list of possible scenarios they'd have to contend with for the situation they're facing, Sanders uses her Strategic to always stay a few steps ahead of world events.

"You’ve got to be able to pivot."

In her time as U.S. ambassador, Sanders faced potentially dangerous situations in which she had to quickly pivot. Her Arranger talent gave her the clarity she needed to reorganize the pieces at play.