StoryCorps CEO Robin Sparkman ’91 explains how the oral history nonprofit brings people together to have the most meaningful conversations of their lives. Sparkman will play excerpts from StoryCorps’ NPR broadcasts and Emmy-award winning animations and talk about the power of storytelling to create empathy and bridge divides.

Sparkman joined StoryCorps as its first CEO in January 2014; its fundraising, programs, marketing, finance, and digital teams report to her. During her tenure, she has focused on creating and developing StoryCorps’ first app; growing and expanding its national board; bringing in an experienced senior management team; creating the organization’s strategic plan; re-energizing its earned income business; and helping StoryCorps expand its creative offerings.

Before coming to StoryCorps, Sparkman spent 20 years as a journalist. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Wellesley College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Sparkman sits on the board of the Union Settlement Association of East Harlem (finance and development committees) and serves on the Wellesley Business Leadership Council. She lives in New York City with her family.