Andrea Sawyer-Kirksey has almost 30 years of experience as an educator, justice advocate, and program development professional. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR), a not-for-profit network of five cities that provide opportunities for service learning and leadership development within the urban context.

Andrea is a sought-after speaker on the topics of anti-racism, cultural humility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She speaks in practical terms about developing local leaders through programs that are people-of-color-centered.

She earned both her bachelor’s degree in recreation administration with a minor in youth ministry, and her master’s degree in ministry from Bethel University in South Bend, Indiana. She also received an executive scholar certificate in nonprofit management from the Kellogg Center for Nonprofit Management in 2018. In the same year, she was included on Crain’s Chicago Business list of notable LGBTQ executives in Chicago.

Andrea serves on the Board of More Light Presbyterians, an LGBTQIA+ advocacy group. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, she is an avid storyteller. Andrea and her wife, Nanette, live in Rogers Park.