About Andrea

Andrea’s role as a learning and systems designer often requires ungodly doses of screen time. To purify this necessary evil, she spends her time working in the garden or hanging out with friends and family playing board games, making food, road-tripping, relaxing at the coast, or hiking in the Pacific Northwest. In truth, Andrea enjoys a good design challenge and tends to approach one with an open mind, curious conversation, and a notebook. While she embraces digital tools and technology, her designs are grounded in the ancient wisdom of the natural world.

Experience and Education

Bridging the Gaps

Andrea is a lifelong learner dedicated to improving equitable access to learning and sustainable systems. She has worked with various institutions such as the city of Portland, Lower Columbia College, Toledo School District, and Head Start, to develop training for all ages. A highlight of her career was launching an outdoor school at a 185-acre camp in rural Washington, which offered diverse learning experiences beyond traditional classrooms. This project included adult skill-shares, early childhood programs, homeschool co-ops, day camps, after-school activities, and field trips, inspiring her Thriving by Design methodology.

She holds a B.S. in human development from Warner Pacific University and an M.Ed. in education technology and instructional design from Western Governors University. Currently, Andrea is pursuing sylvotherapy certification and aims to research improvements in learning systems and community resilience.