Andrea F. Anderson

I attribute my success to staying authentically myself and not conforming to what society expects leadership to look like, especially for women. A mentor once told me that what makes me good at what I do is who I am, how I'm wired, how I'm built, and the fact that at the end of the day, I care about people - people are at my core. That makes me uniquely me. I've been in organizations where even HR has told my boss, if you're looking for the person on the team who is the glue, it's her. She's the glue. You might be the leader, but she's the glue. I've always strived for excellence and tried to leave my signature, my mark on everything I do. I believe in leaving things better than I found them and having an impact. For me, being able to physically see the impact I'm having on people's lives - whether it's helping families own homes, supporting small businesses through COVID, or coaching women to become better leaders - that's what drives me and what I'm most proud of.

The best career advice I ever received was just to be me, authentically me, and not worry about trying to conform. I'll put this in context - over my career, as I've grown, as I've moved up, as I've been given more responsibility, I think society puts certain lenses on what it is to be a leader, and in particular what it is to be a leader for women. Like, we need to try and lead like men, we need to be unemotional, we need to not be compassionate, not care. That is totally not who I am. I remember having this conversation with a mentor once, and that person was like, no, you need to be you. What makes you good at what you do is who you are, how you're wired, how you're built, and the fact that at the end of the day, you care about people - people are at your core. That makes you uniquely you.

I would advise young women entering my industry to stay authentic and confident in who they are, and not allow self-doubt or imposter syndrome to hold them back. It is also important to remain open to opportunities and the support of others, as sponsorship and advocacy can play a powerful role in career growth. Throughout my career, I have made it a priority to honor those who have supported me by showing up fully and striving not to disappoint my mentors, sponsors, and advocates.

The biggest challenge in my field right now is leadership, particularly for women, as many continue to navigate barriers to advancement and the lasting impacts of COVID-19, especially on small businesses and organizational stability. At the same time, there are significant opportunities emerging through the rapid growth of technology and AI, which are reshaping how we work and lead. This moment also highlights the importance of authentic leadership and strong sponsorship in helping women advance and thrive in their careers.

My core values are foundational to who I am and guide everything I do, both personally and professionally. First and foremost, I prioritize faith and keeping God at the center of my life, as that grounding shapes my perspective and decisions. My second core value is people—I genuinely care about others and place strong importance on relationships, empathy, and connection. These values are at the heart of how I lead and show up, and I believe they are a key part of what has contributed to my growth and success throughout my career.