Robyn Joyner, 34
Corporate Communications Manager
Sonepar
Robyn has spent more than a decade with Sonepar, joining directly after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a major in Business and minor in Sport & Entertainment Management.
“Once my dream of being a sports anchor on ESPN faded, I shifted focus,” Robyn recalled. “A professor recommended Sonepar, and while the electrical industry wasn’t initially on my radar, Sonepar’s scale and reputation instantly appealed to me. What sealed the deal was the people. The leadership at Sonepar, led by Rob Taylor, is truly second to none. They are incredibly ambitious and forward-thinking, yet they consistently prioritize our best interests. Knowing you have leaders who are as passionate about your success as they are about the company’s makes all the difference.”
“From my early days in HR and talent acquisition to leading our early career program and University Relations, I’ve always been on a mission to champion our brand so transitioning to the Marketing and Communications team felt like a natural evolution,” she added.
She noted that learning from a leader like Brenda Andolina, vice president, Marketing & Communications, has been a career defining experience. “She has raised the bar for our department in so many ways. She’s fearless and creative and since joining the team I feel like I’ve gotten a masterclass in brand marketing,” Robyn said. “Today, I lead Experiential Marketing and Internal Communications. The role requires agility and creativity but is also rooted in building trust with our customers, sales teams, and leadership. I come to work every day hungry to level up our company.”
Asked to identify a challenge the industry is currently facing, Robyn explained that the industry is in the middle of significant transformation and customers are under pressure. “Our top priority is always the customer and how we can help them navigate this change and complexity with confidence,” she said. “As a marketing and communications team, we aim to tell the customer the story of how Sonepar’s and our OpCos’ solutions solve problems and make their day easier. We’re intentional about delivering helpful content and having a message that resonates and sticks with our customers. From an internal communications perspective, my focus is on ensuring our 12,000-plus associates are not just informed but also inspired and equipped. This looks like driving adoption of AI and digital tools, highlighting growth and training opportunities, and communicating our company’s performance and direction for the future.”
“Marketing & Communications are strategic drivers to the bottom line,” she continued. “My focus is on elevating our impact by aligning more closely with sales and our vertical market leaders, creating distinct customer experiences that drive loyalty and enhance long-term value of the brand, and communicating our vision to our associates. I also aim to expand collaboration with our Americas and Sonepar Group teams.”
What would Robyn tell someone new to the industry? “Success in this industry isn’t just about technical knowledge, it’s about how you show up, who you surround yourself with, and how you can differentiate,” she said. “Get involved with industry associations and programs like NAED. Take inventory of your strengths and what you bring to the table and lean into your unique value proposition. Accept feedback as a gift. Look outside of the industry for inspiration! Brenda always reminds us that people don’t stop being their whole selves just because they’re at work. I find my best inspiration for ‘sticky’ event activations from the fashion world and the NFL. Always strive to breakthrough! Your network has power. Tammy Livers, president of World, and Scott Schuenke, former vice president of Strategic Development for North America, were always people I could turn to with a question or a new idea. Their leadership and business acumen were truly aspirational and they consistently challenged me to grow and step beyond my comfort zone.”
Outside of work, Robyn and her husband enjoy traveling, live music, and going to just about any sporting event. “We are lucky to have friends and family all over the world and are known for never saying ‘no’ to an invitation. We went to Normandy last June and are excitedly planning a trip to Ireland in 2027,” she said. “We’re also honored to have several god children (and goddogs). I love staying active. I run, do hot yoga, and play tennis and golf (poorly). Also, I’m committed to learning French this year. Now that it’s in print, I actually have to do it!”
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Each year tED magazine recognizes 30 of the industry’s best and brightest under the age of 35. Please visit tEDmag.com/30Under35 for nomination information and updates about the 2026 program. Questions can be sent to tED Editor Misty Byers at mbyers@naed.org.
Tagged with 2025 30 Under 35, 30 under 35, people, Sonepar