Honoring the Legacy of Dr. KT Connor
Dr. KT Connor’s legacy at the Robert S. Hartman Institute (RSHI) is both profound and enduring. As a passionate advocate for formal axiology, KT inspired the development of two key products, “Managing Innovation Analysis” and the “Sixteen Styles” model created by Wayne Carpenter (Axiometrics International.) Her vision made it possible to recognize “Unconventional Thinking” as a vital measure of human potential, expanding the reach and relevance of Hartman’s work.
Elected Chair of RSHI in 2011, KT served until 2019, guiding the Institute through a period of remarkable growth and transformation. She established a formal Board structure, set Board Roles and standards, and crafted a code of ethics. KT accomplished all this with her quirky sense of humor and unassuming nature, making everyone feel welcome and valued. She fearlessly and confidently invited people to join the Board, always with an uncanny eye for the unique contributions they could make. KT empowered others to serve, seeing well beyond their self-imposed limitations and nurturing their potential.
A devoted colleague of Dr. Wayne Carpenter, KT personally mentored hundreds of consultants in the use of the Hartman Value Profile (HVP), helping them bring value science into organizations and communities around the world. Her influence extended far beyond her formal roles as University/College Professor and Organizational Development Consultant, she was a mentor, a connector, and a champion of authentic leadership.
KT’s work with RSHI and her dedication to axiology have left an indelible mark on the field. She bridged rigorous theory with practical application, always placing people and their intrinsic worth at the center of her efforts. Her legacy lives on in the thriving community of value scientists, practitioners, and leaders she inspired.
Dr. KT Connor’s life reminds us that true leadership is about empowering others, fostering innovation, and valuing every individual. Her contributions will continue to shape the future of axiology and ethical leadership for generations to come.
Dr. KT Connor, Ph.D Obituary (1940-2025)
Dr. Kathleen Connor, known as KT, and always to her family as Katy, was born in 1940 as the fourth child of nine. Situated in the midst of a large Catholic family she was influential in bringing joy and lightheartedness to her older siblings, and care and concern for her younger siblings. She faced family struggles with determination, and after graduating from Immaculata College she entered the convent of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, a religious order sent to her home town of Paoli, Pennsylvania, to teach in the newly-established parish. After years of schooling under a different order of nuns, she chose this religious "family" because of their youthful, joyful faith.
Dr. Connor spent her religious training in Pennsylvania and then in Buffalo, where the Grey Nuns operated D'Youville College, named after the order's founder. There she taught while pursuing higher degrees, and then received a Ph.D. degree in business from Case Western Reserve University, Ohio. She returned to Buffalo to continue teaching business courses, while also consulting with local corporations. After leaving the order, she maintained her business consulting, moved to St. Simon's Island, Georgia and began affiliating with The Hartman Institute, focusing on more accurately assessing human resources.
After frequent visits to family in California, Dr. Connor decided to split her residences between St. Simons Island and the Los Angeles area, and also in both locales continued her service to Rotary International. She accepted teaching assignments in California, and eventually took up permanent residence in California. While contributing to the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club she encountered Jere Robings, a retired energy industry executive, who eventually proposed marriage. She accepted. As she continued to consult and teach in the US and overseas, she and Jere traveled together, also attending national and international Rotary events. Their joy-filled marriage lasted until his death in early 2023.
Following Jere's death, Dr. Connor moved into a senior living arrangement in Moor Park, California, in the same town as her niece and her family, Tricia and Randy Hacker. For many years before the time of her illness and death, the Hacker family had become that special help and joy to her that Dr. Connor had become to so many others.
