Robin Green Ballard

I am a bold, equity-driven library professional with more than two decades of transformative leadership in public service, education, and nonprofit strategy. As Senior Branch Manager of the Whitehaven Library, I lead with mission, manage with insight, and serve with heart. My leadership is grounded in advancing equity, empowering teams, and connecting the public to opportunity and knowledge. Selected for the ALA Emerging Leaders Cohort 2025 and currently completing my MLIS at LSU (expected August 2026), I bring a deep commitment to future-ready library innovation, policy, and public impact.

• American Library Association (ALA)
• Public Library Association (PLA)
• Tennessee Library Association (TLA)
• Tennessee Education Association (TEA)
• National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
• Charter School Leadership Foundation
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

• Certified Community Health Worker (CHW), Baptist Health Sciences University & Meharry Medical College, 2024
• Graduate, Leadership Memphis, 2021
• Graduate, New Memphis Institute, 2023
• Tennessee Certified: Elementary and Middle School Mathematics, 401, Active

• ALA Emerging Leaders Cohort, 2025, Nationally Selected Participant
• Three-Time Ovation Award Nominee, for Management Excellence
• James Patterson Bonus Award Recipient, 2024, Exceptional Service to Libraries and Communities
• Benjamin L. Hooks Employee of the Year, 2023, Memphis Public Libraries
• Mehlhorn Service Award, 2022, Excellence in Community Impact
• Assistant Principal of the Year, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering
• Outstanding Leadership Administrator Award
• YO Memphis Math Educator of the Year
• MEA Teacher of Excellence
• Governor’s Science and Math Academy, Tennessee Inductee
• Who’s Who Among America’s Outstanding Teachers

• Graduate, Leadership Memphis, 2021
• Graduate, New Memphis Institute, 2023
• Mentor and Advocate, After-School Youth Leadership Programs
• Volunteer Coordinator, Health Department and Communities of Voices
• Civic Liaison, New Memphis Institute
• CHW Advocate, Meharry Medical Community Health Collaborative

Senior Branch Manager, Memphis Public Libraries – Whitehaven Branch, 01/20, Lead daily operations, empower staff, and implement strategic growth initiatives, Foster civic partnerships and community-driven programming, Support resource planning, professional development, and equity-focused services