Robert DeJournett

Professional Bio

Leveraging an experience base of analytics, “best practice” methods and program leadership, nothing excites Robert more than “starting stuff.” Specializing in change management, he is passionate about creating and building programs that encourage culture change. A natural consensus-builder and connector, Robert is known for skillfully guiding teams to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, achieving positive impact with initiatives.

Focused on Internal and External Community

Robert’s career began as a part-time interim Client Services Representative at Goodyear Research Interviewing Center. Simultaneously, he was beginning his career at Summa Health. Over his 30 years at Summa Health, he navigated through several positions, including Senior Secretary in the Human Resources Department, Compensation Specialist, Community Outreach Coordinator, Community and Government Relations Manager for the Community Services department, and finally, System Director for Community Relations and Diversity.

Through these positions, Robert launched or contributed to countless internal and external programs. One internal project of note was initiating, developing, and implementing Employee Resource Groups to further Summa Health’s mission of growing leaders and providing quality professional development for the organization. In his oversight of Summa’s Diversity Advisory Council, he engaged with senior management and provided much-needed employee engagement programs that were focused on overall improved employee advancement and greater retention. Externally, Robert worked to collect and dissect data around community needs, especially related to health and healthcare disparities. That work fed into a larger project at Summa—the design and implementation of a System Diversity Strategic Plan.

From Summa Health, Robert moved to the Greater Akron Chamber where he served as the Vice President of Opportunity Inclusion. During his time there, he led the work of Elevate Greater Akron’s Opportunity Akron strategy, focusing on economic inclusion and opportunity in a collaborative effort with the Chamber leadership, City of Akron, County of Summit, GAR Foundation and the local business community to develop and implement inclusion strategies and best practices. One such strategy Robert organized and led was the inaugural Inclusion Summit of Greater Akron, an event created to advance economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion to accelerate the growth and success of greater Akron’s companies.

Currently

Currently, Robert is principle at DeJournett Consulting LLC. The mission of DeJournett Consulting is to assist businesses and organizations in furthering their missions by helping each to connect to appropriate resources, to convene stakeholders and groups in order to attain their respective goals, and to provide coaching in areas of business development with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Most recently, Robert is serving as the family spokesperson around the events and tragic death of Jayland Walker.

Community Engagement

In addition to his professional positions, Robert is engaged in a number of leadership roles in the greater Akron community and beyond. While completing his Certificate in Diversity Management through Georgetown University, Robert was asked to assist in developing curriculum and serve as an instructor for the 21st Century Healthcare module which is part of an 8-module Certificate in Healthcare Leadership Diversity and Inclusion program, offered through the collaborative program of Georgetown University and the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity in Health Management. Other past and present board appointments include member of the Mayor’s Racial Equity & Social Justice Taskforce Team; board member on the Huntington Bank Regional Advisory Board; board member and current President of the Akron Metro Transit Authority; board member and Past President of the Leadership Akron Alumni Association; board member and member of the Governance Committee at the Akron Zoo; board member and past board chair of the Love Akron Network; and a number of other positions, including past board chair of the American Heart Association Summit/Portage County and as a past member of the National American Heart Association Diversity Leadership Committee.

Awards and Recognition

Through his work and volunteer activities, Robert has received numerous awards and recognition. He was one of three to receive the 2018 National BMe Genius Award for the city of Akron. Also of note are the 2016 Distinguished Leader Award and the 2015 Dorothy O. Jackson Society Community Leader Award from the United Way of Summit County; the 2015 Multicultural Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to the mission of the American Heart Association through the lens of Diversity and Inclusion; the 2013 Heart Champion at the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, as well as the AHA Volunteer Service Award; the 2011 Spirit of Fair Housing Award; the 2008 Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award in the category of business; the 2007 Virgil E. Collins Diversity Award from Summa Health; and the 1999 Summa Health System Caring Award, received through nomination by peers.

Education

A graduate from the University of Akron, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Media Communication, Robert also holds a Certificate in Diversity Management in Healthcare, gained through study at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Education and the Institute for Diversity of the American Hospital Association. He is also a graduate of the inaugural class of the City of Barberton Community Leadership Institute and of Leadership Akron’s Class of XXI.

Personal

A lifelong resident of Akron and proud graduate of Akron Central-Hower High School, Robert is married to Charlene and their blended family consists of four daughters, one son and five grandchildren. He received a calling into the ministry in 1997 and was ordained as a Minister in 1998, an Elder in 2009, appointed as Assistant Pastor in 2012 and Senior Pastor in 2015. Robert continues to serve the greater Akron community as the Senior Pastor at St. Ashworth Temple COGIC.

Robert recognizes his ministerial work and knack for bringing people together for a common goal as his “divine gift from God.” His ultimate goal is to serve God and others so that God will be glorified.