ACCP Staff
Today marks an exciting new chapter for ACCP as we welcome Andrea (ahn-dray-uh) Wood as our new CEO. In Carolyn’s last Talking Purpose interview, she passes the torch to Andrea through a conversation that dives deep into leadership, community, and the future of corporate social impact.
Andrea, a former ACCP board member, brings a wealth of experience to her new role, from her roots in nonprofit management to spearheading transformative CSR initiatives at Best Buy. With a bold vision for ACCP as a trusted partner, thought leader, and connector, Andrea shares how she hopes to navigate and shape this dynamic field.
Don’t miss this candid exchange in which Andrea shares her views with Carolyn about ACCP’s “secret sauce,” the passion that fuels her, and opportunities to elevate the organization to new heights.
You and I have known each other for many years, and your background has always impressed me. Can you share a little about your journey in CSR and how it has shaped your perspective on corporate social impact?
Growing up, my parents lived by the mantra, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” My 85-year-old dad is still volunteering at the local food bank in DC, and my mom spent many years teaching music in low-income urban schools. I started volunteering regularly in college, working a 24-hour crisis line for a program that helped survivors of sexual assault.
After college, I moved to Minneapolis to get a graduate degree in public affairs, focusing on nonprofit management. I spent the first 10 years of my career in the nonprofit sector before transitioning to corporate communications roles at Travelers Insurance and Target Corporation. Eventually, I joined the corporate social impact team at Target and later moved to the social impact team at Best Buy, which I led for 13 years.
What I love about corporate social impact is partnering with community organizations, not just funding them. At Best Buy, I was part of the team that developed the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers, state-of-the-art after-school tech programs for youth in underserved neighborhoods. Best Buy takes an active role in shaping the success of these programs and providing ongoing support, training, and expertise to ensure the success of the programs and the community organizations running them. When companies invest in programs this way, the impact is so much more significant. That’s what I love about corporate social impact.
What excites you about stepping into the CEO role for ACCP at this pivotal moment?
Now more than ever, I think ACCP can be and is a trusted partner for our members. Oftentimes, our members don’t have the time to think about CSR trends or connect with others in the field to learn best practices. ACCP’s role as a thought leader, connector, and community builder is critical to helping people in the profession do great work and be their best. This is the work that excites me!
As a member and board member, you’ve often shared with me how ACCP fueled your success in CSR. Can you share the unique value ACCP brings to CSR professionals and organizations in today’s evolving landscape?
The internal and external environment for CSR professionals is challenging, and the ACCP community is an antidote to the stress of navigating these environments. If a member is struggling with an issue, most likely, others in our community have struggled with the same issue and can share what they’ve learned. That’s the secret sauce of ACCP: our incredibly smart and supportive members who are more than willing to help each other out in times of need.
As you return to the ACCP community, what are you most eager to learn about our current members and their work?
I know our members are visionary, strategic, and innovative. The field of corporate social impact is constantly evolving, and I’m eager to learn about the new and exciting work our members are doing. We have a lot of great thought leaders in our midst, and I want to find out what they’re doing and learn from them.
How do you plan to connect with ACCP members in the months ahead to understand their needs better and gather ideas for the organization’s future?
I will spend my first months on the job getting to know our members and really listening to them, to learn what’s working and how ACCP can best serve them. I also want to learn from our staff, who are experts in the field and have lots of great ideas for how ACCP can innovate and grow. All these conversations will help inform my point of view about where we can take the organization in the future.
You’ve given me advice that has helped shape my decisions over the years. What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received—or the advice you give most often to others?
One of my bosses took me under his wing and committed to helping me become a better leader. He promised to provide critical and tough feedback when necessary because he knew that was the only way I could truly improve. I realized that receiving only positive feedback doesn’t help you grow. I experienced this firsthand and am incredibly grateful for the thoughtful feedback people have given me over the years. It has helped me become a better CSR professional and leader.
This is my favorite question and I’m eager to ask it of you. Who is someone you admire, and why?
I’m a huge fan of Michelle Obama. She’s authentic, genuine, relatable, and inspiring. As a visionary leader, she shares her personal struggles and experiences to connect with people on a deeper level. Her strong moral compass helps her advocate for social issues and inspires others to take action. Reading her memoir, “Becoming,” pushed me to reflect on how I can show up better as a person and leader. I don’t always show up the way I want, but having Michelle Obama as a role model provides an excellent road map for me.
Carolyn will stay on at ACCP through February to help with the transition. She can still be reached at carolyn@accp.org through Feb. 28. Andrea can be reached at awood@accp.org.
