Desiree M. Roberts, Ph. D. is an Assistant Professor and Academic Area Coordinator of Business, Management and Economics at the State University of New York-Empire State College. Her research interests are centered on innovation in services. She holds a Masters degree and a Ph. D. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Dr. Roberts is a Rensselaer Graduate Fellow, and recipient of the New York State Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and the New York State Senate’s Women of Distinction Award. Additionally, Dr. Roberts is also President/CEO of Objective Analysis, Inc., a business management/operations consulting firm, specializing in turnaround planning, implementation and execution.