Celebration of Life Honoree

Robin Toft

Robin Toft is the founder and CEO of Toft Group a ZRG Company, where she combines a deep inside knowledge of the life science industry with a passion for building game-changing management teams. Robin has placed hundreds of executives from VP through CEO and Board level at innovation-led companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, medical devices, life science tools and digital health. A champion of diverse executive teams, Robin has built a reputation for recruiting women and diversity candidates into top roles and helping the life science industry overcome unconscious bias in hiring. Prior to founding Toft Group in 2010, Robin served 20+ years as a biotech executive. In 2020, Robin co-founded the We Can Rise, Inc., a start-up committed to inspiring high potential career women to achieve balance, confidently reach their potential, and unite (with men) to build healthier companies that change the world.

Robin’s first book entitled WE CAN, The Executive Woman’s Guide to Career Advancement, is recognized within the list of 100 Best CEO Books of All Time by BookAuthority. WE CAN provides the confidence, language, tools, and practical advice for women to design and realize the career of their dreams. WE CAN won Gold for Best E-book in the International Business Awards. In the American Business Awards for 2020, Robin won Gold in the three major individual categories of Lifetime Achievement, Maverick of the Year and Woman of the Year. She also won Gold for Most Innovative Woman of the Year in the Women in Business Awards for 2020. Robin has been a finalist in Ernst & Young’s prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year awards in both 2018 and 2019.

Robin currently serves on the boards of public company T2 Biosystems, precision medicine company Syapse, the California Life Science Association (CLSA),  We Can Rise, The Clearity Foundation supporting ovarian cancer patients; and serves as the Chairman of LEAD San Diego, dedicated to developing civically engaged leaders. Robin holds a B.S. in Medical Technology (Clinical Laboratory Science) from Michigan State University and pursued her teaching credential at San Diego State University.