Andrea McWilliams
Lobbyist, political fundraiser and national political commentator Andrea McWilliams is a skilled strategist, combining grace with grit and patience with persuasion. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, McWilliams brings her unique expertise to every issue she engages drawing on her time in both the private and public sector.
The national media, including FOX News, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, USA Today, CNN, BBC, and NPR have all reported on McWilliams’ role as a leading fundraiser and political strategist. Named 2019’s Texas Businesswoman of the Year by the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas, she was recognized as “consigliere to the powerful and political.” In 2017, McWilliams was the only lobbyist profiled together with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House in Texas Monthly’s “POWER” feature highlighting the most powerful people at the Texas Capitol.
McWilliams is also a proud recipient of both the Austin Business Journal’s "Profiles in Power” and the Girl Scouts’ "Woman of Distinction” Award. She has received the "Austin Under 40" Award, and the Austin American–Statesman honored her as a member of its Glossy 8 list. In 2016, McWilliams received Austin Fashion Week’s “Style Setter” Award, recognizing her work and dedication on behalf of local nonprofit organizations.
A Chief of Staff at 21, McWilliams went on to hone her private sector grassroots skills at the iconic public relations company Public Strategies, Inc. Today she is the co–founder of McWilliams, a full–service firm of governmental affairs consultants. McWilliams opened its doors when the husband and wife team of Andrea and Dean combined their talents and experience to form what has become a respected alliance, trusted at the local, state and national level.
Family and Community:
Raised just steps from the Texas Capitol on Congress Avenue, McWilliams now resides in Old Enfield, where she and husband, Dean, are raising their three children in a historic home. McWilliams is a well-known philanthropist and community volunteer, named on many occasions to the "All-Stars" of Austin American Statesman Fortunate 500 list. McWilliams also has served as a board member for many other non-profit organizations, including Texas Lyceum, Mexi–Arte Museum, Arthouse, Rise Across Texas Challenge, HeartGift, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Hospital, Austin Children in Crisis, Pioneer Farms and the Waterloo President’s Council. She is an inaugural member of the Long Center’s Notable Women and a long-time member of the St. David’s Hospital Toast of the Town Committee. A native Austinite, McWilliams is a proud past President of Inherit Austin, an organization founded to preserve Austin’s architectural and cultural past by not only protecting the city’s important landmarks and historical fabric, but safeguarding its unique character as well.
McWilliams has represented the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and KillCancer, two nonprofit groups committed to cancer prevention. She was also honorary chair for the Mamma Jamma Ride, which since its inaugural ride, has raised millions of dollars for non-profits serving thousands of Central Texans coping with breast cancer. In recognition, the Seton Breast Cancer Center in Austin named their screening room after McWilliams. In 2018, McWilliams additionally served as the honorary chair of the Celebration of Life, the most significant fundraising event for breast cancer in Austin, Texas.
In partnership with the Austin Business Journal, McWilliams enjoys serving as a regular business mentor to other young women in Central Texas. Aside from her continued board service with Preservation Austin, Ballet Austin and the Pease Park Conservancy, she also served as a member of the Girl Scouts Centennial Celebration Committee and chaired Austin’s largest charity event, the Ballet Fete, benefiting Ballet Austin. McWilliams additionally co-chaired the Marathon Kids gala and was a chair of the University of Texas Blanton Museum of Art Gala. In support of the Center for Child Protection, McWilliams was a celebrity dancer for Austin’s inaugural “Dancing with The Stars” fundraising event. She is a proud past member of the Texas Emerald Ball Committee, whose endeavors support the American Ireland Fund. During the 86th Legislative Session, McWilliams served on the Governor for A Day Committee.
This year, McWilliams was appointed to the Board of the Save Historic Muny District whose charge is to preserve 141-acres of green space in Central Austin that includes Lions Municipal Golf Course (“Muny”), widely recognized as the first public golf course in the South to become integrated and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, she is humbled to serve on the Pease Park Capital Campaign Committee whose efforts will transform this important landmark for future generations in her hometown. McWilliams currently serves on the PAC Board of RYAN as well, an award-winning global tax services firm.