Andrea Akins

I attribute much of my success to the people and experiences that have shaped me throughout my life, especially my family. My husband and daughter are a constant source of motivation, and watching my daughter grow reminds me every day of the example I want to set for her. I want her to see firsthand the value of working hard, staying humble, leading with kindness, and believing that anything is possible with determination.

I also carry the lessons and legacy of my parents with me in everything I do. After losing both of them in 2019 just months apart, I often think about how deeply they believed in education, encouraged me to pursue my goals, and celebrated every accomplishment along the way. Their belief in me helped shape the person I am today.

At the end of the day, I believe success is about more than personal accomplishments. It is about the legacy we leave behind and the impact we make on the people who come after us. I am proud to carry forward everything my parents poured into me while building something meaningful for my daughter, so she grows up knowing where she comes from and believing there are no limits to what she can achieve.

One of the best pieces of career advice I have ever received was to never underestimate the power of relationships and networking. Early in my career, I was naturally shy, but I quickly learned that building genuine connections with people and leaving a positive impression everywhere you go can open doors you never expected.

Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how important those relationships are. The network I have built over the years has led to incredible mentors, meaningful friendships, career opportunities, and people who have supported me during both the highs and the more challenging seasons of life. It taught me that success is rarely something we achieve alone.

That is something I will always carry with me and eventually pass on to my daughter as well. Work hard, be kind, build genuine relationships, and never stop learning from the people around you, because the connections you make throughout your journey can shape so much of your future.

My biggest advice to young women entering this industry is to stay curious and never stop learning. Marketing, technology, and business are constantly evolving, so it is important to always be open to learning new skills, asking questions, and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Some of the greatest growth in my career came from being willing to take on challenges that pushed me to learn something completely new.

I would also encourage young women to find mentors early and build relationships with people who genuinely want to help you grow. Never be afraid to ask questions, because every experience, even the difficult ones, teaches you something valuable.

Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Your career is a journey, and success does not happen overnight. Keep building your skills, stay humble, work hard, and trust that every experience is helping shape the person and professional you are becoming.

One of the biggest changes happening in marketing right now is how quickly AI is transforming everything we do, and I see that as both a challenge and a huge opportunity. No matter what industry you are in, technology is evolving fast, and I think professionals have to be willing to learn, adapt, and stay curious in order to keep growing.

For me personally, I have spent a lot of time learning how AI can help improve strategy, reporting, content development, and overall efficiency, and I have found it incredibly valuable. At the same time, I strongly believe that while technology can make us faster and smarter, it can never replace creativity, storytelling, and the human connection that makes marketing truly impactful.

I think the biggest opportunity right now is being willing to evolve while remembering that people will always connect most with authenticity, emotion, and stories that genuinely resonate with them.

The values that matter most to me in both my personal life and career are faith, family, kindness, health, and continuous growth. My faith has always helped keep me grounded, and my family is at the center of so much of what motivates me every day. Everything I do, both personally and professionally, is deeply connected to the example I want to set for my daughter and the legacy I am building for future generations.

Health and wellness have also become incredibly important to me. Living with autoimmune diseases has taught me not to take my health for granted, and it has made me much more intentional about fitness, overall wellness, and creating healthier habits not just for myself, but for my family as well. I believe generational health is just as important as generational wealth, and I want my daughter to grow up understanding the importance of caring for both her mind and body.

In my work, I value positive environments where people feel supported, trusted, and encouraged to grow. I believe the best work happens when people are empowered to bring their ideas forward, continue learning, and become the best version of themselves while treating others with kindness along the way.