Careers, Life, and Yale Thursday Show: Leading a Life of Leadership, Inspiration, and Generosity with Donald Roberts ’57

Roberts led a successful career in business, rising through the ranks at Citibank and moving to US Trust Company and retired as Vice Chairman and Trustee in 1995. Later, he became a director of two public companies: York International Corporation and Burlington Resources Incorporated.

Meanwhile, Roberts also demonstrated leadership and vision in his community, chairing the boards of several New York City institutions, including St. Bernard’s School, Brick Presbyterian Church, and New York Road Runners.  He strongly believes health and fitness are vital to maintaining physical, mental, and emotional wellness, and has completed 31 Boston Marathons.

Roberts received the Yale Medal in 2022, which recognized his extraordinary commitment and generosity to Yale and the New Haven community.  His vision for a partnership between the Yale School of Music and the New Haven public schools led to the founding of the Music in the Schools Initiative.  It is now a thriving program that has enriched music education for more than one thousand New Haven public school students. His vision and ability to rally his classmates led him to successfully chair or co-chair the reunion gift committees for his 35th, 40th, 50th, and 65th reunions, raising over $60 million in total.  To share his love of running and belief that fitness is vital for a healthy body and mind, Roberts also funded a new banked track in Coxe Cage.  Displaying his character of humility, he asked that the track be named for the legendary Yale Cross Country captain and Olympic gold and silver marathon medalist, Frank Shorter ’69.