Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Nero Phd

Hi Andrea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

The short story: I went from the hood to Harvard!

I grew up in dire circumstances–food stamps, homelessness, addict parents, roach-infected homes, abuse. Unfortunately, these were pretty common experiences for the people I grew up with. As I powered through immense hardship I have done something pretty uncommon–I received my PhD in 2022 and became a Harvard alumni in 2024. In my household, we joke that “I’ve got that dog in me,” but it is based in truth!

Since completing my PhD and graduating from Harvard, I founded Nero Strategies Group, a consulting firm helping local nonprofits with equitable fundraising and Fortune 500 tech companies with user experience improvements. Currently, I serve as the Development and Engagement Manager at Arts Services Inc. of Western New York, where I generate revenue for a major regional arts nonprofit and mentor smaller organizations in fundraising.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

The road has been far from smooth.

I grew up in a low-income Chicago suburb, facing significant challenges due to my parents’ drug problems. After high school, I moved out and attended a local private college on a $25,000/year scholarship. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the remaining $700/semester tuition and was forced to leave during my second year. Struggling to make ends meet, I moved to Texas, where I lived on the floor of a friend’s computer room and later in a seedy motel in Houston, working various jobs. In between jobs, I was often homeless and had to squat in empty apartments I would find.

Determined to change my circumstances, I moved to Huntsville and completed an online associate’s degree at LoneStar College in a year. I then enrolled in Sam Houston State University’s history BA program, where I also minored in Art History. I continued at Sam Houston for my MA, focusing on Benjamin Franklin’s Gulf Stream maps. With the support of my professors, I was accepted into a PhD program at the University at Buffalo.

The years I was at University at Buffalo were some of the most difficult of my life. featuring more bouts of homelessness, living off of food stamps and being unable to even afford to get to classes on some occasions. Meanwhile, my parents’ drug addictions were worse than ever; at one point, I had to take a leave of absence from my doctoral program to take care of my mother, who went blind and loss the use of her legs due to malnourishment.

Despite financial struggles and family challenges, I completed my PhD in nine years, focusing on the roles of marginalized people in early American scientific societies. However, my decision to become a history professor, which I had made 13 years earlier at LoneStar College, would not come to fruition. While full-time history professor roles still existed while I was in Texas, by the time I completed my PhD, they had become a rarity. These roles had been replaced by adjunct positions that left many of my peers living off of poverty wages. I knew I needed to pivot.

My dream was always to attend Harvard, something that felt like an immense achievement for someone who grew up in my circumstances. To my surprise, following my PhD completion, I was admitted to their Museum Studies Master’s program. However, I realized I had maximized the usefulness of a standard university education by this point and left with a graduate certificate, concentrating on the Business of Museums.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I run Nero Strategies Group, a consulting firm that provides a range of services to local nonprofits and Fortune 500 tech companies. For my local work, I mostly help develop databases, write grants and give talks. I also mentor high school and college students through University at Buffalo’s CoLab program and the Center for Exploratory and Perceptual Arts’ Photography Works program. Globally, I help major tech companies to execute ethical data collection, improve user experience and beta test new products. Many of my contracts these days are centered on my experience as an early-adopter of generative technologies like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini.

In addition, I serve as the Development and Engagement Manager at Arts Services Inc of Western New York, a leading regional arts nonprofit. I secure funding for the organization and guide smaller organizations in enhancing their fundraising strategies. On occasion, I get to consult with local creatives to help them strategize career pathways in the arts. In short, I am in charge of making sure our organization is making money so we can keep the lights on, but I wear a lot of other hats too!

Beyond my primary roles, I have also published several articles and books on academic topics such as early American history of science, museum studies, and DEI. I also enjoy writing about fun subjects, like living a luxurious life inspired by Italian charm. My work has been featured in numerous online articles, most notably in Forbes.

I am most proud of my tenacity, as demonstrated by my personal story. I am also proud that I continue to exist in a number of spaces–attending talks at the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences, while also serving as a volunteer bartender at art openings for Buffalo Arts Studio, a mid-size local nonprofit. I strive to stay true to my roots while continuing to grow, maintaining contact with the people I grew up with.

What’s next?

My lifelong dream has been to develop a charitable foundation. I’ve navigated a challenging journey, and now my deepest passion is to give back and uplift others. This year, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the Nero Philanthropic Foundation as an initiative of Nero Strategies Group. We are set to begin making contributions to initiatives that strengthen our communities in the coming month. While our current resources may not yet make a significant impact, my goal is to double our contributions to local nonprofits each year, with the aim of reaching $100,000 within the next decade.

Additionally, I’m always available to meet with emerging young professionals (and creatives) to offer guidance as they build their careers. I’m not here to sell a course or push a product—I simply find genuine joy in watching people thrive and succeed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://harvard.academia.edu/andreanero
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/andreanerophd
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nerouniversity
• Other: https://nerostrategies.com