Her Story
About Andrea
Andrea Brandon is a distinguished federal executive with more than three decades of experience advancing government operations, financial management, grants administration, acquisition strategy, and organizational transformation. She currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Finance, and Acquisition at the U.S. Department of the Interior, where she provides executive leadership and strategic direction for critical business functions, including financial operations, contracting, grants, property management, and supporting information technology systems. Her portfolio encompasses billions of dollars in federal financial assistance and contract awards supporting programs nationwide. Throughout her federal career, Andrea has held senior leadership roles across multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her expertise spans risk management, audits, internal controls, acquisition management, policy development, and grants oversight. She has been recognized as a leader in modernizing government processes through technology, including the adoption of robotic process automation, artificial intelligence solutions, and data-driven approaches that improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in federal operations. Andrea holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Social Sciences from the University of Maryland, a Master of Public Administration from American University, and a Master of Legal Studies from Pepperdine Caruso Law. She is a member of professional organizations including the American Bar Association and the Association of Government Accountants, and was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration in 2024. Known for her commitment to servant leadership, innovation, and public service, Andrea continues to shape the future of government management by combining operational expertise with a focus on responsible technology adoption and mission-driven leadership.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God. I have a very strong conviction in my spirituality to God, and I pray all the time. I'm going to continue to try to walk that straight and narrow path. With God, all things are possible, and I think that's where my success comes from.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Read the room, like in a card game you need to know how to read the room. Also, learn the culture of the organization. Sometimes you're not going to be the one that needs to throw the ball in to the end zone. Sometimes you need to throw that ball to somebody else and let them throw it in. It's all about winning as a team and getting the mission accomplished.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be courageous because things are not always going to go the way you thought. You have to learn when to remap. You need to be courageous when people are asking you to do crazy things, and you need to be able to say, that's illegal and maybe we can try it another way. Also, being a female, you have to be courageous, because sometimes you're gonna be the only female in the room and that’s ok.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are changing the business processes to map to the president's executive orders regarding implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). We continuously work to change the perception of AI to make it not so scary. We work with staff to build use cases where AI is helping us and not replacing us. Further, we look to technology to get work done with fewer people while maintaining internal controls.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, commitment to my internal moral compass, and a dedication to service are the principles that guide both my professional and personal life. I strive to lead with the highest level of integrity and believe strongly in servant leadership—supporting and empowering my staff, colleagues, leaders, and the nation I serve.
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