Her Story
About Andrea
Andrea Wongsam serves as a long-time volunteer, advocate, and national spokesperson for the American Heart Association since 2009. A heart attack survivor, she began sharing her story that year and was selected as a national spokeswoman for the Go Red for Women campaign. She has received the Woman of Impact award and the Leadership Legacy Award for 2024. Wongsam focuses on fundraising, speaking engagements, and education about women's heart health. She sits on the Executives with Hearts board and the women's board for the American Heart Association Greater Washington Region. She holds an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University and has worked in budget and finance for the Department of Justice for 26 years. Wongsam attributes her success to the value system instilled by her parents and emphasizes paying it forward by mentoring others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success is absolutely my parents, and I think they did a magnificent job with their three kids. They instilled a value system where you work hard and you'll succeed, and always think that you're able to do something you put your mind to.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I did not get to where I am just on my own. I was helped by somebody else, so it is my duty to help whoever is behind me and pay it forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Remember that we are the hearts of our families and our community. Everything we do matters. Women matter. We are worthy and we matter in what we do.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is to stay focused because there are so many distractions. If you want to succeed, you're gonna have to stay focused and work harder. In a male-dominated field, you have to do things better and work harder to be competitive.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Having a moral compass. Recognizing that we need a moral compass.
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