Inside Business 2022 Women in Business: Robin Gauthier, Samaritan House

Job title: Executive director, Samaritan House.

At work: I serve as the director of Samaritan House and ensure that we fulfill our mission, our commitment to the community and, most importantly, our commitment to those we serve. I have strategic and operational responsibilities, along with the important responsibility of effecting systemic change for all people who experience violence. Sometimes, I clean training room tables and answer the front door; it’s always a team effort.

Volunteer activities: I volunteer at Essential Church in Virginia Beach.

Home and family: I have lived in the city of Virginia Beach for the last 30 years and have the best husband a woman could ask for. I have two adult daughters and two additional daughters by marriage. We have eight awesome grandchildren. I grew up in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and have three older sisters and many nieces and nephews. I miss them all.

Motivating factor: I am motivated by hearing survivors speak their truth, getting resources to survivors that make a difference and watching them push forward and thrive. The staff that make this happen every day? They are the real motivators.

Advice for women in business: Know your purpose and surround yourself with people who have the same purpose. Know that it’s a privilege that other people have taken that leap with you, so be grateful and appreciate them. Never give up. Never let a boulder in your path stop you from moving forward; just climb on over and keep it going. Dare greatly.

The one thing I would change about Hampton Roads: The traffic.

Professional goal in five years: My goal is that our safe haven for trafficked youth, The Hallow, is open and receiving children who have been sex/labor trafficked. Secondly, that it will be an inspiration to others so that they, too, will want to change the trajectory of children’s lives in similar ways. That would be an amazing goal to reach.

Downtime: I like to read books, go on walks with my husband and dog and spend time with the grands.

What really gets under my skin: People who are complicit and don’t stand up for social justice. Bystanders have an obligation to stand up; whatever your skill set is, just do something.