KENNETH D. ROBINSON
PRESIDENT & CEO, DR. PHILLIPS Inc., DR. P. PHILLIPS FOUNDATION, ORLANDO
Robinson has led Dr. Phillips Charities for more than 12 years. The organization provides millions of dollars in grants each year to other nonprofits in Central Florida. It generates the funding from its portfolio of investments, including commercial real estate. It also uses some of its real estate holdings to act as a catalyst in community building. Its development projects include the Packing District and the Dr. Phillips community, both in Orlando. Once one of the nation’s largest citrus growers, Dr. Philip Phillips left this as his legacy.
EDUCATION: Florida State University (BS)
FIRST JOB: My first job was digging ditches for my father’s irrigation company.
SOMETHING SURPRISING: I rode dirt bikes and raced motocross growing up.
PASSION PROJECT: My hobbies include golfing, hiking and flying. My passion project is my wife of 40 years, Cindy. Our partnership continues to bring me immense joy and a sense of purpose.
NONPROFIT PASSION: There are so many great nonprofits in Central Florida, but I am particularly passionate about Lift Orlando and 4Roots Farm. I love their mission, and I am inspired by their leadership’s commitment to investing their dollars to tackle and solve deep-rooted issues on a holistic level.
INDUSTRY TREND: Over the past decade, our industry has spent a significant amount on virtue signaling. However, I’m seeing a notable trend where grant-making nonprofits and donors are shifting towards data-driven decision-making, collaboration and capacity building.
