Andrea McDaniel Smith

Andrea McDaniel Smith leads the Washington, D.C. office for CarterBaldwin Executive Search and serves clients in the nonprofit, education, international and economic development, philanthropy, and public policy sectors.

Andrea joined CarterBaldwin in 2015 following more than 15 years of distinguished work in public service, and nonprofit organizations. Andrea served in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, advising George W. Bush on his appointments to government agencies. She also played a key leadership role in the recruitment and assessment of hundreds of senior individuals as the Deputy White House Liaison at the U.S. Department of State.

Following her government service, Andrea moved to Kigali, Rwanda and co-founded a nonprofit organization focused on education and community-based development. That experience led her to co-produce the award-winning documentary film, Mama Rwanda, which tells the story of women overcoming extreme poverty through entrepreneurship. She then spent a season at the Aspen Institute, promoting entrepreneurship and education in the Middle East and North Africa.

Andrea serves on the Board of Directors of The Veritas Forum and Faith and Law in Washington, D.C. Andrea, her husband, Adrian, and their young son and daughter split time between Washington, D.C. and Gering, Nebraska, where Adrian represents the 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.