👶 Teen Pregnancy to Success - Andrea became pregnant at 15, dropped out of high school due to high-risk pregnancy, but was determined not to become a statistic 🚴 Riding Through the Rain - She rode her mom's bike in the rain to take her GED exam, demonstrating early resilience and determination 🎓 Educational Journey - Went from GED to Bachelor's degree to MBA while raising children and working full-time 💼 Corporate Success - Built a 22-year HR career progressing through major companies (Coca-Cola, Target, Nestlé) to become Chief People Officer 🧭 GPS Metaphor for Life - Always kept her end goal clear and recalculated her route when obstacles appeared, never deviating from her ultimate destination 👗 Dignity in Adversity - Dressed in a suit and pearls to apply for welfare at 15, signaling to herself she wouldn't stay there long 🌹 Concrete Rose Scholarship Foundation - Founded scholarship program to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds bloom in hard places 💰 Impact to Date - Has awarded 10 scholarships totaling over $10,000, partnering with University of Cape Town, Howard University, and Alexandria City Public Schools 🔬 STEM Focus - Scholarships primarily support STEM students, requiring minimum 2.0 GPA and demonstrated community service 🎯 2026 Vision - Goal to raise $100,000, deepen university partnerships, and expand to South America 👨👩👧👦 Three Children - Raised three kids including Naomi (now 33, born when Andrea was 15), Mikayla (25), and Gregory (12) 🙏 Daily Centering - Recharges through prayer, meditation, and quiet morning moments to stay grounded Title Suggestions: My Top Pick: 🌹 "From GED to MBA: How One Teen Mom Built a Concrete Rose
Andrea C. Walton, MBA, is a seasoned HR executive, former Chief People Officer at bluebird bio, and founder of Concrete Strategies, a boutique people-strategy and executive-coaching firm. She also leads The Concrete Rose Scholarship Foundation, advancing educational access for emerging leaders, including a new partnership with the University of Cape Town. Andrea’s career spans Fortune 500 and mission-driven organizations, where she has led mergers, workforce transformations, and culture-building initiatives. A writer and podcast host, she champions people-first leadership, equity, and legacy-building. She lives in Alexandria, VA.
Follow her path:
Concrete Strategies: https://www.concrete-strategies.com
Concrete Rose Scholarship Foundation: https://www.concreterosescholarship.com
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1QFpKh2wZREtXudBxoUl5c?si=9f2c5f68aa304a5f