Robin Kramer

Robin Kramer is managing director of the Smidt Foundation. She brings to the Smidt Foundation and Harbor Freight Tools for Schools broad experience in public, private and nonprofit leadership and inventiveness. Robin served as chief of staff to two Los Angeles mayors, Antonio Villaraigosa and Richard Riordan—the first woman in the history of the nation’s second largest city to serve in this post.

Robin previously held senior positions at the Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, the Broad Foundation and the California Community Foundation. She worked extensively as an independent consultant for entities focused on advancing access, opportunity and engagement in civic life, public education, philanthropy and the arts. Robin served as Commissioner for the Port of Los Angeles, chief deputy for two Los Angeles City Council members, and was executive director of Coro, the public affairs leadership training organization.

Currently Chair of the Board of the John Randolph Haynes & Dora Haynes Foundation, she has an MA in urban studies from Occidental College, and a BA in political studies and journalism from Pitzer College.