This month, I hosted a Coffee & Selfie with K. Renee’ Robertson, Account Executive for Panorama Travel Solutions. Based in Orlando, FL, U.S., she joined Panorama in April 2021. I truly enjoyed our conversation and learning more about K. Renee’ who is a mother, centered around her family and faith. She is also an ovarian cancer survivor who has used her strength to inspire others to live their lives with no regrets.
– Olivier Chavy, President of Panorama
In her current role, K. Renee’ builds strategic collaborations and partnerships within the non-profit and for-profit sectors under Panorama.
Here’s what K. Renee’ had to share!
Olivier:
So nice to meet you! Is there a story behind the K in your name?
K. Renee:
My full name is Kennetta – Renee’ Robertson. When I was working on my first professional resume, a recruiter suggested I go by K. Renee’ as she felt I may be discriminated against when using my first full name. The name K. Renee stuck in business, and it worked for me in radio, and in media. My family and old friends still call me Kennetta.
O:
Where did you grow up?
K:
The majority of my family is from South Carolina, U.S. I am Gullah Geechee. The Gullah Geechee Corridor includes the Sea Islands starting from the base of Virginia through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and down to Jacksonville, Florida. So, I have family all along the corridor, but my parents live more inland. Through the years, like many African Americans, my family moved to other parts of the US and abroad, but we continue to have our family reunions every two years. I’m the organizer, which I love. Our family is at the core. Faith and family come first for me.
O:
Tell me a bit about your family.
K:
I’m from a big family, however I’m an only child. My grandparents had 13 children! So, every Sunday was like a family reunion. It gave me great balance and roots being around family and friends, because I’ve never felt like an only child. I really identified with Little House on the Prairie as a child. My parents wanted me to go to a school in a different county, so on the week days I lived on my grandparents’ large farm where they had a community garden, horses, cows, and a pond…and where I fished, and climbed trees. So I was a lot like Laura Ingalls. But on the weekends, I was with my parents where I was like Nellie Oleson with the perfect little room with my dolls, my ribbon in my hair, and my lace socks.
O:
Do you feel more comfortable in a big city or countryside?
K:
Both! I like to have that balance. I love pickup trucks and I drive a red Jeep. I have a slew of cowboy hats. But then there’s my other side too.
O:
What have you learned about yourself over the last 12 or 18 months?
K:
That I’m grateful for my journey. I think it prepared me for what we experienced last year. Because of my previous hardships — divorce, cancer — I looked at 2020 differently than others, because I previously had to decide what really mattered. 2020 was like a reset for many and allowed us to reflect. I was able to be in a space where I could console others and tell them it was going to be ok. I’ve always believed in living life with no regrets.
O:
What makes you so strong today?
K:
I think everything I’ve lived through has built my muscle, my faith has certainly been my center.
O:
While we were all home on lockdown, did you start any new hobbies?
K:
Not really — but I was able to explore some of the old. It was a chance to see what gifts I had either buried or put aside. So, I took some time to hone some crafts. I picked up the guitar again, and I love the harmonica. I also love to sing, and to perform.
O:
Where will you go on your next vacation?
K:
I have a passport, but during COVID it really made me stop and think about what’s in our own backyard. I want to explore the United States more — and maybe visit some of our beautiful national parks.
O:
What are you most excited about in your new job? What have you enjoyed the most so far?
K:
The "why" is right. I truly believe people should take a vacation. I believe you need to stop and smell the roses while you can. I believe in the core of what we do. Talking to people about travel, leisure, and taking that vacation. Being able to change their lives by getting them to live — that’s the greatest part. Also, I want to make sure I encourage all of our associates to participate in the
Panorama Travel Solutions Business Referral Program to help grow the business!
O:
What are three words your colleagues would use to describe you?
K:
Dedicated, determined, and loyal.
O:
If you could have a superpower, what would you choose and why?
K:
The ability to influence others to have no regrets. During COVID, I worked for a cemetery in Atlanta consoling people and being a support system. I witnessed too many regrets. The “I love you”, not said, and dreams deferred too long.
O:
Tell me about the time you worked for the singer James Brown!
K:
I was my college’s HBCU queen, and he was at an event where I was singing. He asked me to work for his radio station. He told me I had a beautiful voice, but needed to have more soul in my voice! I’d been classically trained and told I had too much vibrato in my voice. He and Maya Angelou told me to “use my voice.” So, now I use my true voice, literally and figuratively. He also was a key influence in why I began working in social justice at a young age
O:
What is your favorite music to sing?
K:
I love country music. Tim McGraw’s Humble and Kind is a song I love to listen to every day. A song I love to sing is Louie Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World.
O:
If you could spend time with a celebrity for an evening, who would it be?
K:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I worked for his organization for so many years. I would love to hear his perspective on what he thinks we should do now. What would he do if he were still here. I’d want his advice, and ask what I should do to move the needle for social justice and equality. And if he is pleased with the work done.
O:
What is something about you that nobody knows?
K:
I cry at the drop of a hat! I’ve learned to embrace it.
O:
If you were stranded on a desert island, what are three items you would take with you?
K:
I try to be happy in any space I’m in, so something to play music, the Bible, and fire. I’ve watched too many episodes of Naked and Afraid, so I know I need fire!
O:
What is the best advice anyone has ever given to you?
K:
I remember waiting to find out if I was going to live after I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. And I was also going through a divorce at the same time. One of the doctors told me at the time, “this too shall pass.” So whether it’s a good season or a bad season, I believe you can make it. I try to live in the moment, to be present, and to live intentionally.
O:
Do you have any questions for me?
K:
With you being in the industry for many years, was this your goal all along?
O:
No, my passion was cooking. I wanted to be a chef and I took my first cooking class at 14 years old. But after college, I decided to go into more operations and leadership.
K:
If you had three months to live, what are some things you’d want to make sure you do?
O:
If I had one more day, I would take my bicycle and ride 100 kilometers and would listen to my bike playlist. I’m not sure I’d be strong enough to be with my family — I know that may sound very selfish. If I had three months to live, I think I would go back to a monastery I once visited in Luang Prabang, Laos to spend more time and find peace.
O:
Tell me about your daughter.
K:
She is 24 years old, and her name is Sariah-Isabella. She currently attends Liberty University.
O:
Can we call her? [Olivier and K. Renee call her daughter]
O:
Hi Sariah. Tell me about your mom!
Sariah:
She’s very strong – and she’s the one I rely on always. She’s my role model.
