In today’s climate of rapid change and economic transformation, Andra’s exceptional track record in thought leadership, implementation and follow through skills are essential. Andra provides strategic, talent pipeline advice on an array of workforce and economic development issues to a diverse number of clients, including key sector companies, education providers and developers. For over two decades, as a Certified Economic Developer, Andra has had the great privilege of enabling businesses to remain, expand and locate based on their ability to find the right talent and grow the skills of citizens so that they can prosper and succeed. She’s been instrumental in the provision of nearly $313 million in awarded grants used to train nearly 395,000 people for jobs in key industries. These grants help businesses grow and compete and employees gain skills and increase their earnings potential.

State, regional and community talent and economic development experience matter. Andra has represented Florida on the Florida Economic Development Council’s Board of Directors and the public policy and higher education committees of the International Economic Development Council. She co-led the creation of the nation’s first energy workforce consortium—the Florida Energy Workforce Consortium—emphasizing the critical role that skilled trades occupations play in supporting the state’s economy. She also led statewide policy creation for renewed attention to registered apprenticeships–a time-tested, earn and learn model—and other industry-recognized credentials as well as modernized layoff aversion techniques, sector strategy implementation, and skills upgrade training.

A native Floridian with family roots dating back to the early 1900s and a 52-year small business ownership legacy within her own family, Andra understands first-hand the important role of small businesses within the state economy and is passionate about promoting their growth.

Economic prosperity begins with a job and career pathway for advancement. Over 100 years ago, President Theodore Roosevelt (1916) summed it up well and his words still hold true today: “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”