Robin Wilson (eco-designer)
Encyclopedia
Robin Wilson is an African-American woman and eco-friendly interior designer and wellness expert focused on allergy/asthma related issues in inddor air quality. She is author of Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Friendly Home from the Foundation to the Furniture (Greenleaf, 2010), with the foreword written by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
, Texas
, and attended public schools in Austin. After graduating from S. F. Austin High School
, she entered the University of Texas at Austin
in 1987 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts
degree. While in college, she worked at the Lower Colorado River Authority
and became immersed in environmental issues from energy efficiency
to water conservation
. She joined Mercer Management Consulting in Boston
. In 1997, she moved to New York
while working for Heidrick & Struggles, a company that went public in 1999 which gave her a windfall to matriculate with a Master's degree at New York University
, where she studied Real Estate Finance. Combining her love for real estate and her recurring health problems – she is a lifelong sufferer of asthma
& allergies – she believes there is a tie to indoor air quality and asthma & allergies. She founded her firm in 2000 and rebranded it to the eponymous Robin Wilson Home in 2006. She became an early advocate for clean construction methods and insisted that work teams use low-VOC paints in both residential and commercial spaces so that she and her clients would not start wheezing and sneezing.
Clinton
's Harlem office, the Good Housekeeping
Showhouse, the private residence of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
, and White House Fellows
organization. Her firm was a recipient of the 2008 Make Mine a Million $ Business Award, awarded by American Express
OPEN.
Wilson is the first woman to license her name to eco-friendly kitchen cabinetry through Holiday Kitchens, which is made in the USA in Rice Lake
, Wisconsin
, and sold at over 500 independent dealers nationwide. These cabinets are made from sustainable forests, non-formaldehyde adhesives and waste wood is recycled. She has authored many articles, appeared on television, is a speaker on eco-friendly design, and is considered an expert on healthy homes/indoor air quality. In June 2011, she was announced as an Ambassador to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
.
Wilson is a blogger on the Huffington Post
, where she writes about eco-healthy issues.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Robert Francis Kennedy, Jr. is an American radio host, activist, and attorney specializing in environmental law. He is the third of eleven children born to Ethel Skakel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy and is the nephew of John F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy...
Early life and career
Wilson was born in AustinAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and attended public schools in Austin. After graduating from S. F. Austin High School
Austin High School (Austin, Texas)
Stephen F. Austin High School, or more commonly Austin High, founded in 1881, is one of the oldest public high schools west of the Mississippi River, and was the first public high school in the state of Texas....
, she entered the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
in 1987 and obtained a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree. While in college, she worked at the Lower Colorado River Authority
Lower Colorado River Authority
The Lower Colorado River Authority or LCRA is a nonprofit public utility that was created in November 1934 by the Texas Legislature. LCRA's mission is to protect people, property and the environment by providing public services for more than one million people in Central and Southeast Texas...
and became immersed in environmental issues from energy efficiency
Efficient energy use
Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature...
to water conservation
Water conservation
Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of waste water for different purposes such as cleaning, manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation.- Water conservation :Water conservation can be defined as:...
. She joined Mercer Management Consulting in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. In 1997, she moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
while working for Heidrick & Struggles, a company that went public in 1999 which gave her a windfall to matriculate with a Master's degree at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, where she studied Real Estate Finance. Combining her love for real estate and her recurring health problems – she is a lifelong sufferer of asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
& allergies – she believes there is a tie to indoor air quality and asthma & allergies. She founded her firm in 2000 and rebranded it to the eponymous Robin Wilson Home in 2006. She became an early advocate for clean construction methods and insisted that work teams use low-VOC paints in both residential and commercial spaces so that she and her clients would not start wheezing and sneezing.
Career achievements
Wilson has done work for PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
's Harlem office, the Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping
Good Housekeeping is a women's magazine owned by the Hearst Corporation, featuring articles about women's interests, product testing by The Good Housekeeping Institute, recipes, diet, health as well as literary articles. It is well known for the "Good Housekeeping Seal," popularly known as the...
Showhouse, the private residence of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Robert Francis Kennedy, Jr. is an American radio host, activist, and attorney specializing in environmental law. He is the third of eleven children born to Ethel Skakel Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy and is the nephew of John F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy...
, and White House Fellows
White House Fellows
The White House Fellows program was established by President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson in October 1964. President Johnson articulated that the mission of the program was "to give the Fellows first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the federal government and to increase...
organization. Her firm was a recipient of the 2008 Make Mine a Million $ Business Award, awarded by American Express
American Express
American Express Company or AmEx, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Three World Financial Center, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Founded in 1850, it is one of the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is best...
OPEN.
Wilson is the first woman to license her name to eco-friendly kitchen cabinetry through Holiday Kitchens, which is made in the USA in Rice Lake
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Rice Lake is a city in Barron County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 8,320. The city is located mostly within the Town of Rice Lake.-Geography:Rice Lake is located at ....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and sold at over 500 independent dealers nationwide. These cabinets are made from sustainable forests, non-formaldehyde adhesives and waste wood is recycled. She has authored many articles, appeared on television, is a speaker on eco-friendly design, and is considered an expert on healthy homes/indoor air quality. In June 2011, she was announced as an Ambassador to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for and controlling asthma, food allergies, nasal allergies and other allergic diseases. AAFA's mission is also to educate the public about these diseases...
.
Wilson is a blogger on the Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
, where she writes about eco-healthy issues.
Honors and awards
Wilson is profiled by The History Makers, which chronicles the oral history of African American families. In addition, she has been recognized:- 2011: Named "Eco-Hero for Sustainable Design"
- 2011: Keynote address, Conservation International "Eco-Home" luncheon; Washington, DC
- 2010: Listed as one of the University of Texas "125 Extraordinary Texas Exes"
- 2010: Kennedy Green House book wins 2010 IPPY Award bronze in Home & Garden
- 2009: First woman to license name to eco-friendly custom cabinetry by Holiday Kitchens
- 2008: Profiled on PBS Nightly Business Report "American Dreamers" profile
- 2007: Profiled in O magazine "Women Who Started Over"/Career Changers
- 2007: New York Post "#46 on "50 Most Powerful Women" list