Enlighten. Educate. Entertain.

Connect with Andrea

I inspire leaders to find purpose in loss so they can change the world.

  • "Andrea was so engaging, personable, and knowledgeable when she spoke to my team at a Lunch and Learn. We were thrilled to have her! She connected so well with my team that they have asked for her to return again in the future. We look forward to that opportunity to see her again and learn more!"

    Jackie Herigodt, Director of Partnerships and Engagement at Imerman Angels One-on-One Cancer Support

  • "Andrea's ability to connect and engage with the audience was fantastic. She covered a topic very close to home for our group which included practical applications for our members. Most of all Andrea's effectiveness comes from her transparency in her personal experiences. You can tell she is driven to use those experiences to make others better around her. We received so many wonderful comments about her time with us."

    Eric Blackman, Chief Executive Officer at Vulcan Imaging Associates

  • "Andrea is a polished speaker with a heart and a powerful message."

    Rachel Simon, Patient Advocate

  • "We appreciate Andrea's engaging presentation to our members about Enneagram type and preventing burnout. We received wonderful feedback about how they will use this information to make small changes in their lives for big results."

    Jennifer Whalen, DHSc, MHS, PA-C, BCPA, The Bridge Health Advocates

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Better Off Bald: A Life in 147 Days

Eighteen years after my younger sister Adrienne’s death, I published my medical memoir Better Off Bald. The book is about raising Adrienne during my twenties and losing her to liver cancer when she was only 15 years old.

I was 22 years old when I got custody of Adrienne, who was eight years old. People often confuse bravery with doing the right thing. When I became Adrienne’s parent, it wasn’t an act of bravery. It was about doing the right thing. The truth is I needed her as much as she needed me.

Being Adrienne’s parent changed my life. Being her caregiver during her 147-day cancer journey changed my life. I never intended to start a liver cancer nonprofit (2002). But here I am, using my talents of writing, coaching, teaching, advocacy, and speaking to create a powerful sustained movement that changes cancer care in America.

Buy the Book

“Better off Bald is devastating and heartbreaking, inspiring and edifying. Most importantly, it’s real. It’s a beautifully written, insightful, page-turning book on how we connect as humans and why life – no matter how truncated – is worth living.”

— Pacific Book Review

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