PWD Women’s History Month Spotlight: Alicia D. Robertson

For Women’s History Month, we are introducing you to some phenomenal women working at the Philadelphia Water Department, making a difference every day and doing extraordinary things in their careers.

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What do you do at PWD and what is something that people would find interesting about the job?

I manage/oversee the General Accounting Unit, which covers Accounts Payable, Payroll, Fixed Asset Accounting, and Annual Financial Statement preparation. One of the fascinating parts of my job is that I get to account for billions of dollars in expenses that help keep essential city services running.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself looking to work in your career field?

Don’t be afraid to learn skills outside of your job title and/or reporting unit. The more you know = the more you grow!

Do you think there are any barriers for women wanting to do your job? If so, how did you overcome them?

Municipal finance has historically been male-dominated, particularly in senior leadership roles. I am grateful for the supervisors and managers who recognized my leadership potential and, rather than feeling threatened by it, created space and opportunities for me to grow and strengthen my skill set, which prepared me for greater responsibility.

Here’s your chance to give a special shout out to a woman in your own life, at work, or in your community who has served as a role model or mentor – who’s getting your praise?

My mother, of course. She raised four daughters and instilled in us the confidence, work ethic, and determination to become leaders in our respective fields.

Share your favorite inspirational quote by a woman…

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” – Maya Angelou