“Resilience is not merely endurance; it is a leadership competency that transforms adversity into advocacy and connection, a truth I learned firsthand three years ago when I returned to the workforce after major health challenges.”
Robin Oliphant, Customer Project Manager
Returning to work after adversity
Three years ago, I returned to the workforce after major health challenges, including extensive heart complications and cranial decompression surgery. Though officially declared disabled, I believed I still had the capacity to contribute meaningfully, to society, to culture, and to my evolving career dreamscape. The key was finding an organization where I could show up authentically, grow, and make a measurable impact that proved limitations do not define potential.
That first step required a mustard seed of faith when I accepted an unfamiliar role as a manufacturing supervisor at Schneider Electric’s Columbia, South Carolina plant. Today, that leap has grown into work that transformed my life and inspired others who once doubted their ability to do more and be more.
Choosing transparency – and finding strength in it
Leading with authenticity has been one of the most impactful parts of my career. I learned that being transparent—especially about challenges I once concealed—creates a foundation of trust that no title or credential can replace.
Although I never led with my disability, choosing not to hide it anymore made me more relatable. Instead of distancing people, it brought them closer and opened the door for more honest conversations about well-being, resilience, and navigating difficult seasons at work.
When authenticity creates impact
Over time, this openness encouraged employees to feel more confident acknowledging their own barriers, both personal and professional. Several shared that seeing a leader willing to show humanity empowered them to advocate for themselves and pursue opportunities they once thought were out of reach.
That connection, especially within a mostly Black and Brown workforce, is something I’m deeply proud of. Knowing that my authenticity helped others recognize their value and rise beyond the limits placed on them remains one of the greatest honors of my leadership journey.
Building resilience through support and balance
One of the biggest challenges I faced during this transition was realistically managing stress. As I adapted to the culture and drove production and process improvements, expectations grew rapidly, but I was still just one person. That pressure could have easily become overwhelming.
The turning point came when I chose transparency. I disclosed my disability and shared my needs openly, which laid the foundation for honest conversations. From there, I worked with leadership and HR to align with the organization’s well-being initiatives and partnered with my team to manage expectations and create a more balanced workflow. What surprised me most was how staying open-minded to growth opportunities, even while navigating a disability, strengthened my resilience and leadership skills.
Reclaiming confidence and rediscovering strengths
My heritage and lived experience taught me that resilience is not just endurance, it informs how I build trust, set clear processes, and create environments where people feel seen and valued. Reclaiming my confidence, rediscovering new strengths, and refining weaknesses became the greatest benefits of returning to work.
Proving to myself that I could still contribute meaningfully gave me a renewed sense of purpose. Work provided structure and routine that supported both physical and mental rehabilitation. Most importantly, my journey became a source of encouragement for others, those suffering in silence, and a beacon of light for those who may face similar challenges in the future. Representation matters. Showing that success is possible despite obstacles can inspire others to keep going.
Inclusion is a promise, not a program
At my core, I am a people-focused, process-driven, transformational leader. My disability journey sharpened empathy, clarified priorities, and reinforced a simple truth: inclusion is not a program, it is a promise.
This perspective guides my work at Schneider Electric and my commitment to mentorship through the Society of Women Engineers and TryEngineering Together. I am proud to serve within Schneider Electric’s Black Professionals Employee Resource Network (BPERN), helping drive initiatives that strengthen representation, community, and career growth. Beyond the workplace, I engage with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and lead One2Mpower Publishing to amplify diverse voices and invest in future leaders who will shape a more accessible and innovative world.
The power of community and belonging
The Disability Awareness Alliance (DAA), Schneider Electric’s Employee Resource Network for Disabilities, Accessibility and Allies, has been instrumental in helping me feel seen, fostering a sense of belonging, and providing a community where I can contribute, learn, and grow in my career and beyond. While invisible disabilities can present significant challenges, they do not diminish our capacity to make meaningful and impactful contributions within global organizations such as SE.
This commitment to inclusion is reflected not only in individual experiences, but in how Schneider Electric shows up more broadly. In 2025, Schneider Electric U.S. achieved a top score of 100 for the second year in a row on the Disability Equality Index (DEI) from Disability:IN, earning recognition as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.” While awards matter, what matters most is how inclusion is lived every day through people, policies, and communities that make belonging real.
Advice for the journey
If you’re preparing to return to work after a health challenge, here are a few tips that made a difference for me:
Be transparent: Disclose your disability and communicate your needs clearly. This sets the stage for understanding and support.
Establish open communication: Keep the dialogue going with leadership, HR, and your team. Clear expectations reduce stress and foster collaboration.
Challenge yourself: Stay open to growth opportunities. Pushing beyond your comfort zone, at a pace that respects your health, can rebuild confidence and resilience.
Leverage support systems: Don’t hesitate to use organizational resources, well-being initiatives, and peer support. Success is a team effort.
Prioritize well-being: Advocate for balance. Productivity and health can coexist when boundaries are respected.
Engage with community: If your workplace offers them, consider joining Employee Resource Networks (ERNs). At Schneider Electric, communities such as the Disability Awareness Alliance (DAA), Black Professionals ERN (BPERN), and Change Adopt Community offer connection, advocacy, and shared experiences that support both professional and personal growth. Choose communities that align with you as a whole person, not just your job title or a single aspect of your identity. These spaces empower you to thrive by honoring the full spectrum of who you are.
Looking ahead
My story affirms that adversity can catalyze impact and that meaningful change begins when inclusion becomes a shared responsibility. Thank you, Schneider Electric, for believing in me and providing the space to lead, serve, and inspire—exactly as I am.
I look forward to continuing to champion resilience and inclusion as catalysts for innovation and leadership excellence.
Ready to explore what belonging and meaningful work can look like in practice?
Robin is a Customer Project Manager at Schneider Electric, where she leads complex, multimillion-dollar initiatives with strategic focus and a strong commitment to operational excellence. With more than 20 years of experience and certifications spanning process optimization, risk mitigation, sustainability, and transformational leadership, she is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Organizational Management to further her people-centered leadership approach.
Driven by a passion for inclusive and equitable workplaces, Robin is an active contributor to Schneider Electric’s Black Professionals ERN and Disabilities, Accessibility and Allies ERN. She also mentors through the Society of Women Engineers and TryEngineering Together, is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, and founded One2Mpower Publishing to amplify diverse voices through writing and publishing.
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