Robbie Young

Executive Engagement Administrator, New York

24 years at Spencer Stuart

Describe what you’re doing currently.

I am mostly retired. I still occasionally work at The Book of Mormon on Broadway as a sub-stage manager, which was my full-time career before Spencer Stuart. I cover personal days, vacations and emergencies. I also volunteer for The Sato Project, a dog rescue based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I do five New York Times puzzles a day, and I am reading a book a week (fiction) and listening to a book a week (non-fiction). Nothing has enriched my life more than reading and it is such a joy to have so much time now to do it.

What skills or experiences from your time at the firm have been most valuable in your current role?

I had pretty good organizational skills from my years on Broadway, but Spencer Stuart certainly honed those skills. And that has been invaluable going into retirement so as not to "waste the day" just because I have the whole day! I also learned so much about people and their individual dynamics at Spencer Stuart. Oh, and Power Point!

What is your favorite Spencer Stuart memory?

It's not just one memory, but my favorite part of working at Spencer Stuart was making people laugh ... Kristin Wait, Teresa Fischer and Karen Bonventre come to mind most!

What’s something you’ve learned recently that you wish you’d known earlier in your career?

Time is fleeting. I knew that. Of course, I knew that. But it is so much more palpable now. 

What experience isn’t on your official CV that you feel had a significant impact on your career?

Touring all of North America with the national tour of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” with Chita Rivera. Seeing so much of the U.S. and Canada in two short years was life changing. Made me a smarter, more compassionate, well-rounded person. And hearing all of Chita's stories from a life in the theater was such a gift.

When you’re not working, what are you doing?

Reading, walking the dogs, hiking or doing a puzzle.

What book, movie or show would you recommend?

My favorite movie of late was “The Girl with the Needle” (Danish). Martyr by Kaveh Akbar is a masterpiece, as is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Also, I just recently read for the first time Anna Karenina — transporting ... how had I not read that? “Oh, Mary!” on Broadway is not to be missed. Cole Escola is a genius.

What are 2-3 fun facts about yourself?

• I am from a tiny town in western Kansas.
• I can do the NYT mini crossword puzzle in less than 30 seconds. Okay, sometimes 45 seconds. 
• I stage managed Boho Days (a one man show) with Jonathan Larson, which eventually expanded and became Rent. He was as lovely as everyone says!