In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Ledger, I sit down with Andrea Carter, Founder of Carter Growth and COO of the Center for Nonprofit Management, whose career is a masterclass in reinvention, purpose, and execution.
Andrea shares her journey from a 25-year career at EY — where she built over $50M in consulting revenue — to stepping into entrepreneurship and ultimately finding alignment in serving both middle-market companies and nonprofits.
She opens up about the moment that changed her perspective: being asked, “What are you going to do for the next 25 years?” — and realizing she wasn’t done growing.
If you’re wondering how to pivot your career, build something of your own, or align your work with your purpose, this conversation breaks it all down with honesty, clarity, and real-world experience.
Whether you’re a finance leader, consultant, entrepreneur, or someone considering a career shift, you’ll walk away with practical insight you can apply immediately.
🎯 Key Quote:
“There’s nothing worse than giving someone a strategy they can’t execute.”
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 – The 25-Year Career Question That Changed Everything
02:30 – Building a Career at EY
06:10 – Why Andrea Didn’t Plan to Become a Partner
10:20 – Taking Risks and Changing Career Paths
14:30 – The Inflection Point After 25 Years
18:10 – Starting Carter Growth from Scratch
22:00 – The Reality of Building a Business
26:40 – Networking That Actually Works
30:15 – Common Organizational Challenges
34:20 – Why Strategy Fails Without Execution
38:00 – AI: From Ideas to Action
42:30 – Finding Purpose in Nonprofits
46:00 – Joining the Center for Nonprofit Management
50:00 – Advice for Career Transitions
Subscribe for more leadership conversations that go far beyond the numbers.
🎧 Listen now:
Apple
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-to-do-when-your-career-feels-stuck-invest-in-yourself/id1843448325?i=1000764380836
Spotify
Connect with us:
Andrea Carter on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-carter-86b2576
Carter Growth Website
https://www.cartergrowth.com
Troy Ashby on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyashby/
Troy Knows Talent Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/troyknowstalent/
Troy Knows Talent Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/troyknowstalent/
