Mini Bio

Dr. Rolanda Schmidt, formerly Rolanda DelaMartinez, is Florida raised, Minnesota grown, and living in a Midsouth world.  An indelible mark is etched in Dr. Ro's heart of seeking change after surviving being kidnapped and abused at the tender age  of 12 (read the full kidnapping story here). Many tragedies, triumphs, and mistakes have shaped the woman she is today. The greatest lesson learned is the importance of living in truth and walking in humility when facing trials and tribulations. Dr. Rolanda reminds her audience to have faith, embrace God first, and be divinely empowered to get to a better place, no matter the situation at hand..
 

Thanks to the self-sacrificing  efforts of her husband, children/bonus children, friends, family, and  mentors, Dr. Rolanda Schmidt has established herself as an entrepreneur, national best-selling author, scholar, key-note speaker, and  humble community servant. Her greatest joy is derived from being a Christ follower, wife, mother/bonus mom, and helping those in need.

Dr. Rolanda Schmidt has gained a wealth of business experience in her former role as CEO and founder of a tax accounting firm for nearly 17 years, and working in leadership roles within the corporate, non-profit, and public sectors. With this gamut of skills, Dr. Rolanda transitioned part-time (and later full-time) into academia, as a business professor for 12 years. During which time, Dr. Ro is also the first African American female endorsed candidate for MN State Representative in District 52A (2008).  Dr. Rolanda is currently the CEO of Truth with Grace Consulting specializing in management consulting for individuals, religious and academic institutions, corporations, and non-profit organizations. She has helped hundreds of companies, individuals, and organizations transform broken infrastructures to success. 

A bilingual (Spanish) international speaker, Dr. Rolanda Schmidt has also been featured in many media outlets for her commitment to love her firstborn transgender adult child, regardless of religious disagreement or public pressure to promote shunning. Dr. Ro has also been highlighted for her advocacy against child abuse and kidnapping, solid work of educating youths on financial literacy, empowering leaders with business (management, marketing, public policy), and most recently creating positive change for African American families affected by suicide. 

Dr. Rolanda is a Certified Professional Project Manager (University of St. Thomas),  earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Master of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University, an MPhil in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University, and has a Ph.D. with a concentration in International Finance. As a lifelong learner and advocate:

1. the desire to develop solid strategies of preventing child abuse, kidnapping, and suicide

2. close the gap for people experiencing negative aftermaths from false allegations (in several arenas) and minimize abuse of power

4. bring awareness to the need for stricter laws on doxing

5. and the desire to help business, nonprofit, & religious arenas grow while upholding healthy policies and environments contributed to Dr. Ro's renewed quest of broadening her scholarly expertise in Public Policy and Administration & Theology. 

Ultimately, Dr. Rolanda Schmidt is a management and ministry expert walking in humility as a global servant leader.