Born in Naarm, I am the third child of a migrant family and first generation ‘Australian’.

My parents and two sisters fled Idi Amin’s regime in Uganda, landed in racist 1970s Britain and by cosmic luck ended up in Australia teaching in Catholic schools. My family history is one of being colonised (Goa) or living in colonised countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Australia) each diminishing the importance of my culture, language and identity, but because of this, also emboldening my family’s commitment to social justice.

Not unsurprisingly, I’ve now spent the last 20+ years working in mostly brilliant organisations with the aim of creating big and small social impact for people, community, business and the planet. I started A.D.A Advisory to transform the way business, government, nonprofits and philanthropy collaborate and operate, with the end goal being creating more social impact.

Andrea brings 20+ years of social impact leadership and innovation across a range of sectors and is called on regularly to speak about her unique perspectives.

Andrea’s expertise includes creating cross sector partnerships, building social impact movements and advising organisations, governments, businesses and individuals on governance, strategy, partnerships, policy design and measuring impact all within the context of increasing wellbeing. She also coaches early-mid career, social impact professionals in cultivating wellbeing and navigating the complex world of work.

Former roles include Head of Partnerships and Innovation, APAC at Purpose, CEO of the B Corp movement for Australia and New Zealand, Director of Venture Philanthropy at Social Ventures Australia and roles with KPMG, public policy firms and over 15 years experience working for and with State, Federal and local governments.

Andrea holds a First-Class Honours degree in Public Policy and Management and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne and in 2016 she was awarded a Vincent Fairfax Foundation Fellowship for her work in social impact.

Andrea is currently an advisory board member to the Sustainability Transformation Pathways for SMEs research project at Monash University and a former Board member of Collective Intelligence and Schoolhouse Studios. She is regularly asked to publicly speak about her unique perspective, with her most recent at CoP28 Dubai.

  • Andrea is a key leader in social change and impact in Australia and beyond. Her skills and capabilities in leading & building teams and strategic partnerships are exemplary. She is an extraordinary facilitator and communicator with deep expertise in collaborative, real world practices. Andrea's ability to navigate political and policy environments is well honed across a variety of sectors and operating at a senior level. Her empathy, humanness, pragmatic and solution focused approach, and ability to get things done blended with purpose and focus is probably one of her most unique qualities.

    Jan Owen AM

    Entrepreneur/founder, former CEO of Foundation for Young Australians and founder of Create

  • I have worked with Andrea De Almeida on several occasions, as part of strategic planning at the Department of Health Victoria. Andrea was engaged to understand immediate and long-term priorities. What makes Andrea’s approach unique is how she connects with the people involved. This brings out the meaning in the work in a way that I have found impactful and much more powerful than a standard planning day. I also appreciate the level of fun and connection that Andrea brings to her work.

    Former Director

    Consumer, Lived Experience Branch, Mental Health and Wellbeing Division, Department of Health

  • Andrea is a perceptive and knowledgeable leader for change who is serious about building an economy that works for all of us and the planet too!

    Vincent Stanley

    Director of Philosophy, Patagonia

  • Under Andrea’s direction, the team developed an organisational strategy, clarity around the business model and funding requirements, strong internal systems and last but not least, a nourishing and supportive team culture: a wonderful example of the components essential to building business as a force for good. Thank you Andrea, I know that this work will benefit us all.

    Mele-Ane Havea

    Chair, B Lab Australia and New Zealand

  • Andrea is an excellent leader who has demonstrated several times over, the right mix of skills to design and operationalise innovative ventures that tackle complex social problems.

    Former Executive Director

    Venture Philanthropy, Social Ventures Australia

  • Andrea is brilliant at managing people and teams. She has been instrumental in developing me professionally, teaching me executive level skills, helping me navigate my career journey and empowering me to deliver program outcomes during some pretty challenging times.

    Simon Crabb

    Associate Director, Social Ventures Australia