Meet Trailblazer Andrea Nordgren

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Nordgren.

Andrea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Daydreaming, drawing, reading, writing stories. That was my childhood, and like many, a set of tools to navigate through erratic and traumatic life events as you grow up. I liked to create and I wanted to help people, so my path was parallel forms of art and design + volunteering and social work. I got degrees in Psychology and Communications, spent a year as a graphic designer and then five years as a certified alcohol and drug counselor before heading back to into advertising.

My 25-year career has included working both brand-side and agency-side as a graphic designer, art director, creative director, and strategy director for a wide variety of clients and industries.

About 10 years ago, I began producing and directing video, TV and film projects and fell in love. I could create an extremely collaborative space and focus on stories of people and topics that can make a difference in the world.

I have had my own independent production company for several years, but I am really excited to be embarking on a joint effort with my long-time producing partner, Mandi Nodorft, this year. We will launch our woman-owned, diversity-focused storytelling collective to be able to work on independent films — both documentary and narrative — that feature diverse stories and voices and utilize underrepresented crew.

My other passions include serving on the Board of Women in Film and Media Colorado (WIFMCO) and as Head of Brand Strategy for The 3% Movement. WIFMCO, the Colorado Chapter of Women in Film, is committed to uniting, educating, and empowering women media makers and their community by providing resources, networking and educational programs, and by actively pursuing equitable treatment and opportunities for women.

3% is a movement that grew from the fact that in 2012 only 3% of advertising creative directors in the U.S. were women. Today, that number has grown to 29% and we have a strong community and team striving for diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging – beyond gender and beyond advertising.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I didn’t always know what I wanted to BE, but I knew I wanted to DO: consistently learn and grow. To be curious and to be challenged. After all, change is the only constant.

As someone who can move fluidly between roles and has expertise in a variety of areas, one of my biggest obstacles was with people wanting to narrowly label me. They couldn’t conceive that someone could write, design, produce, and direct, etc. It’s an old school way of thinking and is limiting to the future of work, particularly to a new generation of creatives.

Without question, the one thing that has helped me grow is never saying no to an opportunity or challenge, even if I didn’t have the skills or if I doubted myself. Making myself step up, maybe fail, fall down, keep going, has made me who I am.

My advice for young women is to take up space, own your voice, and, as Bruce Springsteen said:
“Don’t take yourself too seriously, and take yourself as seriously as death itself. Don’t worry. Worry your ass off. Have ironclad confidence, but doubt – it keeps you awake and alert. Believe you are the baddest ass in town, and, you suck!”

Be humble and be amazing.

Please tell us about Heroine Films – what should we know?
I am a creative problem-solver and storyteller.

My work as a creative strategist is about helping brands solve business problems. I love understanding the challenge, understanding the audience, and then creating the strategies to reach people and goals. At the end of the day, it is usually about making a connection, changing the way people think, feel or act.

My work as a producer and director is very similar. The joy of producing is pulling everyone and everything together to create the best environment for creative work and creative collaboration. My crews like to call me bossy but they love it and know I have everything under control! Ultimately I am here to make every person and the project successful. The camaraderie on set and one the road are like oxygen to me.

Directing to me is a little more about letting go. It doesn’t have to be solely my vision or responsibility, but a crew that works amazingly together. And, most importantly, because I work a lot with real people, I enjoy telling their stories. They can be much more fascinating and impactful than many scripted pieces.

My background as a counselor and in psychology allows me to connect with people – even people who have experienced trauma – and tell authentic and emotional stories. I enjoy interviewing people on camera and getting to the heart of a story. The people I have met and worked with along my journey have changed my life and I am honored to tell their stories.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
One piece of advice?! That’s hard!

I’m going to break the rules and give a few:
Pursue what you want and deserve.
Say yes. Don’t let fear hold you back from any challenge or opportunity.
Be both honest and kind — and learn how they work together.
Be trustworthy and cultivate trust.
Never forget you really only have this day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://andreanordgren.com
• Email: andreanordgren@gmail.com
• Instagram: anordgren
• Twitter: @andreanordgren
• Other: https://www.3percentmovement.com

Image Credit:
Ben Lamb, Mike Walsh, Mike Gillis

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