Redefining the Narrative: Andrea Taylor Lindsay ’06

Andrea Taylor Lindsay ’06 has always been a storyteller. During her time at Marlborough, she naturally gravitated towards activities such as all-school musicals, Chamber Choir, and Honors Research Projects—opportunities that allowed her to hone her storytelling skills. Now, in both her personal and professional lives, she continues to seek out opportunities and organizations that allow her to passionately weave stories and bring big ideas to life.

Over the years, Andrea has come to appreciate that truly compelling stories are seldom created in isolation. They require diverse perspectives, seamless collaboration, and a dedicated team working towards a shared vision. Being an integral part of such teams is what drives her. In her role as Senior Director of Strategy at LA28, the non-profit delivering the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, Andrea has found her dream team. “I have the privilege of working with some of the brightest minds in sports and business,” says Andrea. “My goal is to provide strategic guidance and promote collaboration, leveraging the unique talents of our people and guaranteeing the best work product.” Together, their work is laying the foundation for the world’s largest peacetime gatherings: the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

While the story of the Olympic and Paralympic Games are familiar to many, LA28—guided by Andrea’s cross-functional work—is redefining the narrative. As the storytelling capital of the world, and a city of constant innovation and creativity, LA is the perfect place to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Because of this, the Organizing Committee has directed its focus on its human legacy. LA28 will uplift the LA community by expanding access to youth sports, a healthy environment, and local economic empowerment by providing opportunities for minority-owned businesses. “We’ve been dedicated to working closely with community members of all ages and backgrounds since the beginning,” Andrea highlights. From community working groups to the LA28 Youth Council, LA28 is co-creating the Games with Angelenos, for Angelenos. Her LA roots closely connect Andrea to her work. “The end product of LA28 will be a love letter to people of the LA-region. We’re saying, ‘We are going to deliver this exciting event that won’t cost you anything, it will only benefit you.’ As a fourth generation Angeleno, I find that exhilarating to be a part of.”

Andrea’s journey to her current role was far from linear. She held positions ranging from an intern at a City Councilman’s office during her time at Marlborough, to roles in human resources, sales strategy, consulting, and even co-founding an apparel company. Through these diverse experiences, she never lost sight of her identity as a storyteller. “My personal philosophy is that every job is a storytelling job and every job is a sales job,” Andrea reflects. “If you can find the aspects of your job that meet both of those, then you can scale up whatever you are doing and it makes you an ideal candidate for any role you want in the future.”

Early in her career, Andrea recognized that pursuing an MBA was a logical step for her. She explains, “I learned early on that one of my unique gifts is being able to provide leadership with the information they need to make decisions—to make good decisions, smart decisions, and fast decisions. I quickly realized that I did not just want to be the one providing information—I wanted part of the decision-making team.” Leveraging her narrative skills and strategic thinking, Andrea has become an invaluable asset to every team she joins. 

Beyond her professional commitments, Andrea serves as a Board Member for a Broadway theater in Manhattan, a role she takes very seriously. She and her fellow board members negotiate the competing interests of the artistic and financial aspects of the theater company. “This is a fascinating area of exploration for me,” Andrea says. “It is a place where the Board gets to step in and bridge the gap. I find that work extremely fulfilling because everyone has a vested interest in having a good outcome but might have differing priorities in how we get there.”

Another significant role Andrea holds is that of a mother. With two children under the age of four, she and her husband are continually learning the balance of teamwork around their household. Both driven, passionate, and accomplished professionals, they also prioritize their roles as parents. “I see parenting as an art, a craft, and a joy.” Andrea shares, “It is something I enjoy studying. I do a lot of reading, research, and brainstorming creative problem solving. My husband helps me balance the work. There is so much in a household that requires partnership to work effectively and we are constantly evaluating how we can make sure we are managing that well.”

Reflecting back on her time as a student, Andrea notes how Marlborough seamlessly integrated storytelling into her educational experience. “Marlborough created spaces for us to co-create and collaborate on topics ranging from comparative government to reevaluating art history pieces to arranging a choral song. We were strengthening a skill that has served me and my peers ever since.” Those peers have remained some of Andrea’s dearest friends. She says, “My closest friends come from Marlborough and from business school. Those are the two points in my life when I feel like I was most authentically myself.” She credits both institutions with focusing on the development of the whole person and, as a result, being environments in which she felt she could show up as the truest version of herself. “At Marlborough and at Stanford Graduate School of Business, I wasn’t just developing as a student but I was developing as a person,” Andrea says. “I learned how to have difficult conversations, how to support peers and teammates, and how to lead with kindness. Of course both educational experiences provided me with the technical skills I needed, but most importantly I learned how to be a better person.”

Even as she works on the delivery of the 2028 Games, Andrea always has her eye on the next generation of Marlborough changemakers, ready to encourage those who are unafraid to redefine narratives and create positive change in their communities one story at a time.