Sacred Heart, Sisterhood, and Service

Andréa Stanford ’07 prepares to deliver Commencement Address

Andréa Stanford, Class of 2007, will deliver the Commencement Address during the graduation festivities for the Class of 2021 on June 4, 2021. Currently, as a vice president at Bank of New York Mellon, Andréa oversees employee engagement, talent development, communications, and government affairs for the firm’s Pittsburgh Regional Campus. Andréa is also a community leader and advocate, serving on the Board of Directors of the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh and YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, and co-chairing the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania. We caught up with Andréa virtually to learn more about how Sacred Heart set her on a path to personal and professional success.

As an alumna, do you still have a core group of Sacred Heart friends with whom you stay in touch?

Yes! I enrolled at Sacred Heart in 4th grade and am still very close with friends from my Lower, Middle and Upper School years. These are the lifelong friends I grew up with — we carpooled together, had sleepovers, and supported each other during our time at Sacred Heart. Although we’re all living in different parts of the country, we’ve always made it a priority to get together when we’re ‘back in town’ over holiday breaks throughout the years. Now with the pandemic, we’re even more connected; Zoom brunches and happy hours have replaced our in-person meetups, and happen more frequently. Whenever we get together, we always reflect on our years at Sacred Heart — studying for exams, laughing in the hallways, and having a lot of fun. Are there any particular teachers whose classes or clubs you consistently reflect on?

I had so many great teachers and advisors at Sacred Heart who played important roles in my development. The most impactful club that I participated in was the School’s Speech & Debate team, which was led by Mr. Paul Grisanti. We competed in regional and national tournaments, which enabled me to develop a passion for public speaking — a skill that I have leveraged throughout my career. How has your service work impacted your career trajectory?

What experiences at Sacred Heart helped build the foundation of your lifelong commitment to service?

Sacred Heart instilled a deep appreciation for the Goals and Criteria, specifically, Goal III: a social awareness that impels to action. The School’s community service requirements encouraged us to get involved with our local community, which left a lasting impression at an early age.

During my senior year, I volunteered at The Greens at Greenwich, an assisted living center near campus, where I visited a resident named Gladys. I would help her stay connected with loved ones by writing letters on her behalf, as her eyesight was deteriorating. Additionally, I was an afterschool tutor to elementary school students in Port Chester. These experiences crystallized my desire to always be of service, make an impact and lend a helping hand. Service has been an integral component of my career trajectory. In fact, my desire to be civically engaged and community-minded has been an asset in the different roles that I’ve held over the years. Early in my career, I learned how to maximize my 9am–5pm work schedule, and used my ‘free time’ between 5pm–9pm to get involved with local nonprofit organizations. I actively sought out community groups that aligned with my core values — equity, mentorship, empowerment of women and girls — and began serving on young professional boards. Through board service, I developed skills like fundraising and strategic planning. I also strengthened my professional network. Additionally, I learned how to effectively lead and manage teams well before I was doing so in my ‘day job’.

I always encourage emerging leaders to seek out opportunities to volunteer in their community. By advocating for others, you can enhance your leadership skills, build confidence and further your personal growth.

What’s the secret sauce to balancing career, service, and personal life?

My journey to finding balance is ongoing. I’ve made significant progress by prioritizing physical and mental health, time with loved ones, and learning how to say ‘no’ to things that don’t align with my values.