Diana Robertson, vice dean and director of the undergraduate division of the Wharton School, will step down from her role on June 30 and be succeeded by Cait Lamberton, the Alberto I. Duran President's Distinguished Professor of Marketing.
Wharton Dean Erika James announced the leadership change in an email to the Wharton undergraduate community on April 7. Robertson, known as “VDR” by many students, has served as vice dean since 2019. Lamberton will assume the role — leading Wharton's undergraduate programs — effective July 1.
“Prof. Robertson’s impact within the undergraduate division, and across the broader Wharton community, has been deeply felt by all and will undoubtedly continue,” James wrote in the announcement.
During her six-year tenure as vice dean, Robertson focused her efforts on student wellness and community building. She introduced initiatives like free access to the Headspace mental health app and Dolphin Tank, a student pitch competition for wellness-focused projects. Robertson also led the Connections@Wharton task force, which aimed to strengthen relationships across the school and foster connections among Wharton students.
Robertson has been honored with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching and will remain a professor in the Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department, according to the email from James.
Lamberton joined Wharton in 2019 as the Alberto I. Duran President's Distinguished Professor for marketing. Her research focuses on consumer behavior, including how people respond to retail environments, technology, and emotional dynamics. She has received multiple Wharton Teaching Excellence awards and has been named a Penn and Wharton Fellow.
“She will be a tremendous asset to the Undergraduate Division,” James wrote in the announcement.
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