We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea Grant, CDSP. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.
Hi Andrea, thank you so much for agreeing to open up about a sensitive and personal topic like being fired or laid-off. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in layoffs recently and so your insight and experience with overcoming being let go is relevant to so many in the community.
Facing a layoff or getting the boot might not sound like the usual HR narrative, but truth be told, I’ve lived through both, and it’s a story worth sharing.
Back in 2008, I was knee-deep in HR at a major financial institution when fate rang my number. The call wasn’t subtle—it happened in one of those transparent glass offices that people only used for serious business or bad news. I was given a year to seek a new role as my boss and our 200+ team underwent restructuring. Seemed like ample time until the bomb dropped—60 days. Panic mode: activated.
Initially, I aimed to stay put, utilizing internal support and resources. Yet, reality hit hard. A colleague urged me to seek greener pastures elsewhere, a tough pill to swallow. I swiftly adapted, creating three tailored resumes, highlighting my administrative knack, project management finesse, and my true passion, HR.
Little did I know, I was rebranding myself, discovering my transferable skills, and plotting a new trajectory. I was terrified, being a single mom to a special needs child, needing stability and a secure job. But fear became my motivator. I wanted to flee to the familiar, but this setback became the catalyst for unleashing my true potential.
Losing that job was a wake-up call. It propelled me to fine-tune timeless strategies: maintaining an updated resume, nurturing my network, utilizing LinkedIn, and understanding my worth. Now, I’m prepared, sans the desperation and anxiety, and I share my journey to inspire others.
It wasn’t just a bump in the road—it became the fuel for my career’s flight towards success.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a seasoned leader with 25+ years of experience in HR, sales and workforce development, and am the driving force behind Grant Consulting Group, LLC. As a serial entrepreneur, I coach individuals and business owners to achieve profitability and sustainability. I specialize in designing and executing critical business and HR programs and accelerating career goals and objectives. My journey includes key roles at SuccessFactors (formerly Plateau Systems), Capital One, LHH, and Challenger, Gray and Christmas. Initiating the formation of the African American Employee Resource Group (ERG) at Capital One nearly two decades ago, and leading diversity and inclusion strategies at Challenger, underscores my enduring dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces and equal opportunities.
Beyond my corporate success, I am a devoted special needs parent and was the caretaker to my disabled veteran father. Actively involved in various organizations, I serve as a career and executive coach for prestigious organizations like Diversity Woman Media, UFC, and AARP. My board experience includes roles at the National Association for African Americans in Human Resources (NAAAHR) and Maryland State Society of Human Resources (SHRM).
As a sought-after speaker in career development and diversity and inclusion, I have participated in over 60 panels, podcasts, interviews and media events. Notably, I was featured on AARP’s Tele-town Hall reaching over 60,000 viewers, and on CBS and ABC for optimizing your LinkedIn. I also contribute as a Small Business Administration (SBA) SCORE facilitator and Industry Instructor supporting George Mason University’s Chief Diversity Equity Officer Inclusion (CDEIO) program.
My clients can anticipate a forthcoming array of practical tools and resources designed to enhance business and job performance, ultimately optimizing their income. Additionally, stay tuned for the launch of an exciting new podcast.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Showcasing leadership, a strategic mindset, and unwavering dedication to both personal and professional goals have been the cornerstone of my career at every professional level and in pursuit of every objective. For individuals in the early stages of their careers aspiring to master these skills, envision your goals in a space where they’re ever-present and measurable, dare to take calculated risks, and don’t underestimate the power of having a coach, mentor, and sponsor by your side.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My special needs son, Unique, is the driving force behind my journey. His enduring resilience throughout more than 25 years of challenging surgeries, medical procedures, persistent bullying, rejection, and facing countless “no’s” has been my greatest source of inspiration. Witnessing his unwavering resilience and grit propels me forward, pushing me to build the essential skills, qualities, and knowledge necessary for my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grantsconsultinggroup.com/
- Instagram: grantconsultinggroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/221460122425931
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-n-grant/
Image Credits
Kellie Frye Photography
