Her Story
About Andrea
Andrea Baird is a publishing professional with nearly 15 years of experience specializing in marketing. She leads the YA marketing team at Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, and is based in the Chicago area.
Baird earned a master’s degree in Writing and Publishing in 2012 after double majoring as an undergraduate. While completing her graduate studies, she ran her own consulting business, gaining experience across a range of industries, including publishing, nonprofits, healthcare, and education.
She attributes her success to consistent hard work, building strong teams, and investing in the professional growth of others. Baird encourages young professionals to focus less on where they begin and more on the journey ahead—to remain curious, explore different opportunities, and take advantage of the many paths available within the publishing industry.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to creativity, putting in the work, and building great teams.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to know your worth. There’s real value in saying no—because if you say yes to everything, your yeses become less meaningful.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be so focused on the entry point. Be more focused on the journey. Don’t get stuck thinking you have to start in editorial, marketing, sales, or any one specific area. Look for roles that genuinely interest you, and explore as much of publishing as you can. It’s an umbrella industry with so many different paths, and if you’re curious, put in the work, and build strong relationships, colleagues will help you find your way to where you want to go.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In YA marketing, one of our biggest challenges is the decline in teens reading for pleasure, so we’re constantly finding new ways to capture their attention and keep them engaged in an increasingly screen-heavy world. Publishing is also highly influenced by the economy. Books can shift between being viewed as essentials and discretionary purchases, so we’re always thinking about how to build demand and create greater stability.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Valuing relationships and making sure people feel seen and heard is one of the principles I care about most, both at work and in my personal life. It's important to see all the different sides of a story before making any decision.
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