Full Circle Leadership: Courtney Roberts’ Journey Home to Riley
When Courtney Roberts talks about Riley, she speaks from the heart. “Riley Children’s Foundation is very personal to me,” she says. “Like so many Hoosiers, I was raised in a Riley family.”
That connection began when her baby brother was born with a hole in his heart. Their small-town doctor in Rensselaer, Indiana, referred the family to Riley Children’s Health, a name her parents already trusted. “Riley became our lifeline,” Roberts recalls. “My brother is thriving and healthy today, with three kids of his own. I know our family’s story would have been very different without Riley.”
Decades later, that gratitude still guides her — now in her role as president and CEO of Riley Children’s Foundation. “The opportunity to lead Riley Children’s Foundation really feels like a full-circle moment for me,” Roberts says. “To be able to give back to Riley, which saved my family, is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”
As Roberts leads the Foundation through the historic Every Child Deserves Riley campaign, she is driven by the same purpose that defines Riley donors: ensuring every child, no matter where they live or what challenges they face, can receive leading-edge pediatric care at Riley.
Raised in a close-knit family where community came first, Roberts learned early what generosity looks like in action. Her father, who owned a local car dealership, quietly helped neighbors who’d fallen on hard times. Her mother, a nurse, modeled compassion through care. “We didn’t use the word ‘philanthropy’ when I was growing up,” Roberts says. “But my parents lived it every day. They taught me that love of humanity means showing up for others.”
Those lessons shaped Roberts’ leadership style — grounded in integrity, excellence, and respect for people. She brings that same philosophy to Riley’s mission. “We are stewards of something sacred,” she says. “The generosity of donors fuels the hospital’s lifesaving work. Every gift, no matter the size, changes a child’s story.”
Her professional journey from law to executive leadership has been marked by a deep commitment to growth and service. “I’m a constant learner,” she says, noting that she’s currently pursuing her doctorate in philanthropic leadership. “I love working with people who are brilliant and who have big, bold visions. That’s what drew me to Riley. We’re not just imagining what’s possible for children’s health, we’re building it.
Roberts’ family keeps her grounded. She credits her husband, Ed, as her “biggest champion.” “Choosing him was the most important decision I’ve ever made,” she says. “He’s encouraged every new chapter and helped knock down any barriers along the way.” She’s also a proud stepmother to Caroline and Ellie, “the greatest gifts of my life.”
For Roberts, leading Riley Children’s Foundation is more than a professional milestone — it’s a calling to face some of the biggest challenges in children’s health head-on and with compassion. “Those big challenges require big solutions — and big solutions take all of us,” she says. “Private philanthropy plays a crucial role, alongside the public and corporate sectors, in building those solutions together. And there’s nothing more powerful than a community coming together to do that for children.”
That spirit of compassion, courage, and generosity is what she believes sets Riley apart. “Every child deserves Riley,” Roberts says. “That belief drives everything we do. It’s what inspired my family years ago, and it’s what inspires me every single day.”