Grossman School of Business (GSB) will hold its own celebration following the University Commencement Ceremony on May 21, 2023 to recognize the business school graduates. Robin Tauck ‘77, a philanthropist and third-generation co-owner of a long-standing travel company, has been confirmed as the guest speaker for GSB’s celebration, which will take place at The Flynn starting at noon. Official conferral of all degrees occurs during the University Commencement Ceremony, which begins at 8:20 am on the University Green.
Robin's Life Work
Robin Tauck is a third generation Co-owner and former President and CEO of Tauck Inc., a luxury travel company started by her grandfather in 1925 in New England and Eastern Canada. Her generation took the company global in the 1990s, expanding to include small ship expeditions, safaris, family travel and luxury riverboating in 80 countries across all seven continents. Her leadership years included an expansive presence in Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Africa, India, Antarctica, Russia & Baltics, and the Middle East.
Robin has served on the World Travel and Tourism Council of Leaders in London since 2008, and has been a member of its Sustainability Board Task Force from 2009 to 2022. A frequent industry speaker, Robin is immediate Past Chairwoman of Tourism Cares, the largest non-profit in the travel industry with a mission to “unite the travel industry for positive social and environmental impact.” Previously she launched Tauck’s “World of Giving,” honored in the White House with a Presidential Award for innovative programs in CSR for > 400 U.S. National Parklands. She also supports global heritage within the U.S. State Department as a U.S. Commissioner of UNESCO World Heritage, and is the founder of the Tauck Ritzau Innovative Philanthropy (TRIP) Foundation, which make multi-year investments internationally towards economic development through cultural heritage.
Welcoming Robin Back to Vermont
“We’re thrilled to welcome Robin back to Vermont to address our Grossman graduates at their commencement celebration,” said Barb Arel, acting dean, Grossman School of Business. “The work and mission of Robin is important to share, and our students will take away some important points about global business and the travel industry’s positive social and environmental impact as they embark on their journeys into the real world.”
Robin’s Personal Life
Robin is a business graduate of University of Vermont (1977), Stanford University Executive Business Program (1999), and the University of Cambridge Leaders Sustainability Program (2010). Her home is Westport CT, the headquarters of Tauck, where she was recently honored in the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame in Hartford for her career in “Global Impact.”
The Next Chapter – For All
As Tauck Inc. nears its centennial 100th Year in 2025, Robin is working with her family for this legacy tourism business to transition to a fourth generation to lead into a new future, embracing innovations, disruptions and opportunities, and focusing on a net-zero carbon impact future while advancing prosperity, wellness, mobility, cross-cultural understanding and peace among traveling world citizens.
Be sure to plan ahead for UVM’s Commencement Ceremony and GSB’s celebration. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend both events. Tickets are required for the celebration. Be on the lookout for an email from GSB’s Center for Student Success with details.