Joni Roberts

As the Founder and Chief Evolution Officer of Evolution University, Joni combines her unique experience in international entrepreneurship and higher education with a passion for creating a more joyful, prosperous, and sustainable world. From launching one of the first American owned tech companies in Romania in the early 2000s to a recent role as Chief Strategy and People Officer of AI startup Polar Controller, and today with Evolution University, her work has woven in themes of creating a better world through people, processes, and products.

As a professor, Joni has taught MBA and undergrad courses across diverse topics including entrepreneurship, global strategy, innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Currently she is the Vice Program Chair for Saylor Academy and leads the development of the Innovation and Sustainability course for the Saylor MBA Program launching in 2022. In 2015, she helped Kean University launch Kean Online as a course creator for the International Business and Trade course and continues as an adjunct faculty member. She also serves on the President's Sustainability Taskforce for Academics, Curriculum and Research.

In 2012, she became involved in the work of Marshall Rosenberg, PhD, and nonviolent communication. Today this is expressed through MOREcompassion, a movement to challenge to include MORE in what the team care about and take action to improve. Her free course, MOREcompassion for People and the Planet, blends the themes of compassion with social and environmental sustainability. The course is available on Evolution University's website and has attracted compassion activists from around the world.