Robin Kemper, who earned bachelor's degrees in civil engineering and building science in 1979 and a master's degree in civil engineering in 1981, has been heavily involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) since her college years at RPI, culminating in her service as the 2019 national ASCE president.

She has had over 35 years of extensive structural engineering experience in design, forensics, and analysis, especially on buildings. She worked as a risk engineer with Zurich North America, having worked for liability and properties risk groups to develop project policies, best practices, and investigating losses on construction projects. Kemper has had a passion for engineering ethics, while having also served on the board of directors of Engineers without Borders and the Civil Engineering Industrial Advisory Board of RPI.

Recognitions include the 2013 William H. Wisely American Civil Engineer Award, and the 2015 ASCE New Jersey Section Civil Engineer of the Year. In her capacity as ASCE president, Kemper's duties representing civil engineering interests included testifying before the United States Congress.