Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andre Whittington. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Andre thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

My mantra for as long as I can remember has been take the risk or lose the chance. This has allowed me to live life fearlessly and truly chase my dreams and follow my passions. I would say the biggest risk I have taken, and I have taken a few, would be walking away from the comfort of my corporate job in the height of the pandemic to start my own consulting company. Now during this time I would say I was in a dream position – I was leading strategy for a Fortune 50, doing the work that I loved, and had the salary to enjoy life. However, I wasn’t fulfilled in my work and my days seemed very long. When I decided to leave I seriously had no idea what I would do I just knew I wanted to impact my community and do work that was purpose driven. While I was passionate about this new reality I knew I needed to dive in head first to really understand impact-driven work within underserved communities. The competition at the leadership level in the nonprofit space is fierce and there are a ton of brilliant people doing amazing work. But if you know me then you know I love a challenge so I got busy building relationships, leveraging my knowledge of business to scale my consulting company, and do work I enjoy. During my first year I secured an office space in a Downtown Phoenix Highrise, landing a few long-term contracts, doubled my corporate salary, and I was feeling pretty good. During my second year of running my business I secured a contract with one of the largest cryptocurrencies exchanges in the US. It was safe to say we were in a great space – however, I felt like what I was building closely aligned to the type of work I walked away from during my time in the Corporate world. So I decided to make a huge pivot and slow things down within my consulting business and amplify work that aligned with my passions. So I started to lean more towards work that had a larger impact on the community. It was through one of my first contracts that I found my passion in business, that relationship catapulted me into the work I am doing today as the Executive Director of Growth Partners Arizona. I am now leading a CDFI in Arizona that allows me to do what I am passionate about while impacting my community. If you would have told me when I walked away from my corporate job that in a few years I would be the CEO of a CDFI with the ability to impact the state I live in I probably would’ve laughed – but I am here today because I took the risk.

Andre, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Andre T. Whittington (I like to add the T. to pay respect to my late father) and I am an innovator, strategist, and passionate leader who is dedicated to leaving an impact on my community. My life has been a series of amazing events from joining the military at 17, dabbling in construction during my early 20’s, spending time studying at an Ivy league before dropping out of college, to climbing the corporate ladder then walking away to chase my passions, to leading an amazing CDFI in Arizona today. I have been fortunate in life to create the life I desire and never settle.

Today I am leading a local CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) Growth Partners Arizona and managing my own consulting company, Opemia Consulting. While my work as a CDFI leader is the primary focus I still find time to offer advice, insight, and consult with mid-size companies and nonprofit organizations who are struggling to scale.

As a CDFI leader, we help to close the racial wealth gap and deploy responsible capital to small businesses and nonprofit organizations across the state of Arizona. Our role is to help create a more inclusive economy for all and work daily on behalf of our small business owners and nonprofit leaders.

What I am most proud of is the work we are able to do at GPAz and my amazing team. We get to meet some of the most amazing small business owners and help them achieve their goals – what’s not to love about this kind of work.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the things I had to unlearn was being defined by my past. I grew up in New Orleans, LA’s Lower Ninth Ward, and while I love my upbringing it presented a huge obstacle for me as an adult. When you grew up in a space where drugs, murder, and crime are the norm you become complacent and believe that some how you will never see life beyond 21. So you live carelessly. I was always a smart kid but at times I had to play my part so I wouldn’t be bullied and this meant failing test on purpose, skipping out on school, following the wrong crowd, or doing things to fit in with my childhood friends.

As I got older this belief of not being enough followed me around until my older brother was murdered. It was at that moment I decided that I wanted more out of life and I no longer allowed my past to define who I am or would be. After my second brother was murdered I kicked this belief into overdrive and never looked back. Those were tough lessons but they shaped me into who I am today and I am grateful for the past because it helped me to define my future. I now believe that who I am is defined by what I do today and each day I have the opportunity to improve myself and those around me.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am a life learner so I love to read a good book or watch an inspirational documentary. There are three books that shaped me as a leader and entrepreneur. The first was The Power of Your Subconscious Mind – this book helped me to understand the importance of emotional intelligence. I didn’t realize emotional intelligence was a thing or something we could improve until I read this book. The second was, 48 Laws of Power – this book is a must read for anyone who desires to understand power, leaders, and influence. The third book was The Alchemist – game changer!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andre.t.whittington/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-whittington-2ba47612/