Andrea renea Terrell
Andrea Terrell, BHA, MSHRM, is a dual-career professional serving as the Founder and CEO of Sisters in Christ: Women of Purpose, Daughters of Promise and as a Senior Talent Program Specialist for a leading healthcare organization in Michigan. With nearly 18 years of experience in human resources, she specializes in talent program development, apprenticeship programs, job-shadow initiatives, and college programming, shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. Her leadership in HR has been recognized with top awards and grant achievements, reflecting her commitment to developing meaningful, sustainable programs that bridge education and opportunity.
As a faith-driven nonprofit leader, Andrea transformed a small women’s Bible study into a thriving organization serving over 1,000 women nationally and internationally. She oversees a team of 22 staff and volunteers, directing program development, community engagement, and strategic operations. Under her vision, the organization offers mentorship, professional development, and practical support, including initiatives like the Promise Pantry, which provides weekly groceries to single mothers. Andrea’s work integrates her passion for faith, service, and empowerment, creating spaces where women and youth are equipped to reach their God-given potential.
Andrea holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management (2024) and a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration with a concentration in Public Health (2019). She is pursuing a PhD in Business Administration with a focus on Leadership, further expanding her expertise in organizational strategy and impact. An ordained minister and mentor at Wayne State University, Andrea credits her growth to mentors such as Lori Craig, Jan Harrington Davis, and Cheria Thomas-Adams, and she continues to inspire through servant leadership, mentorship, and community transformation.
• Trident University International - M.S.
• Highest Grant Amount Award
• National Congregation of Negro Women
• Wayne State University
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success mainly to God, because God is always first. I know that we plan our lives, but God has His own plan. Another part of my success is my children and my husband, because they always motivate me to keep going, in spite of what it looks like and what's going on, just to keep going and to never give up. They are my constant source of motivation and support.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to never stop, just keep going. A director of mine told me that many years ago, and her words have echoed in the back of my mind ever since. I recently enrolled in school to get my PhD, and I start in April. Her words have been like a constant encouragement that I can't even fully explain. It's just so wonderful to have someone pour into me like that and to care about my career the way she did.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep on going. The sky is the limit, don't give up. Just keep pushing forward no matter what challenges you face.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In the nonprofit field, the biggest challenge right now is trying to bring more awareness to the organization and being able to get our name out there. We're working on being able to share what we do and get more women to come into the sisterhood for the resources. Since we're newer, we're in that building phase, trying to get partnerships established, trying to get sponsors and funders and things like that. It's all about establishing those connections and growing our reach.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being able to help others is the most important value to me in both my work and personal life. In my nonprofit work, I love being able to help women. We have a grocery program where we're feeding women every week, sending groceries from the actual grocery store to single mothers who are in need, feeding these women and their children. In my professional career in HR, it's the same thing - being able to help those students, especially those in underserved areas and underserved communities. That's what drives me and gives my work meaning.