Hi, I'm ANDY.

Talking about myself is as painful to me as listening to nails on a chalkboard. Now please read on, and imagine me cringing uncomfortably with each sentence you read.

(oh and sorry that right now all you can hear is nails on a chalkboard).

Andy, the human.

Like most of you currently reading this, I too am human. So there's something we share in common! I'm a pretty decent human, plenty of room for growth, but generally evolved and highly empathetic.

I believe in holding the door open for the next person. Using your manners at all times. Letting people out of side streets, even if you have the right of way.

I believe that we each have the power to change the course of a persons day with nothing more than a well placed smile or nod, and I believe that such an action has the power to create a positive feedback loop that can extend to the rest of humanity in a matter of days.

I believe that no conversation is important enough to not be immediately paused whenever Fast Car starts playing. Seriously, do not be the reason why I miss belting out even a single line.

Andy, the father.

I'm the dad to one son, Jack. He has (along with my fiance) helped flip all my priorities upside down and fueled my passions with the fire of a thousand suns.

Jack was born in 2020, right before COVID lockdowns took effect. Becoming a father has given me extraordinary new perspective that I've applied to my approaches as a person, and a professional.

Jack has taught me to be a more patient and compassionate person and leader. He's given me more reason to stop and be emotionally intelligent in situations that the old me might have had lapses in judgment. He's given me infinite reasons to be better tomorrow than I was today.

Andy, the fiance.

Stop me if you've heard this story before. Boy meets beautiful girl at work. Immediately falls in love and wants to marry her. Turns out girl also loves boy and also wants to marry him. Great success!

No matter where my professional or personal journey takes me, my fiance Emi is always there. She's the reason why I'm sitting here right now populating this page instead of being stuck trudging to an office for the next 8-12 hours - and I'm the reason she will likely be nominated for sainthood.

Andy, the traveler.

As uncomfortable as I am talking about myself, this section is easy!

In 2021, we purchased a Class A motorhome (RV) and hit the road. Since then, as a family of three plus two pups, we have visited 34 states and 26 national parks. We're just getting started.

Along the way we're experiencing different ways of life, seeing a diverse array of communities firsthand, and getting an incredible understanding of how people live all over the country.

As we've travelled, I've discovered a new passion and my new calling. I want to bring my expertise, skills, perspective, and immense passion for strategy, consumer experience, loyalty design, and personalization to the outdoor recreation and hospitality industry.

Andy, the professional.

Kind of seems like every person you see on LinkedIn has the same sensational accolades about themselves, huh? Creative innovator, AI expert, Visionary leader, etc. So much humility! I promise to sell myself way short on pretty much everything I share. It's not humility, it's genuine discomfort and disdain for self-promotion.

I have 15 years of experience as an individual contributtor and leader of personalization, analytics, loyalty program, and behavioral change teams at CVS Health.

The true highlight of my professional career has been building an incredible team from scratch and watching amazing individuals come together to become an unstoppable group of peers, partners, and friends.

Full disclosure. My emails could probably be a bit more concise.

Andy, the leader.

I've experienced my fair share of amazing leaders, and more than my fair share of professionals that could use a refresher in what a modern leader is (and isn't). The reality is that each one of them has helped shape me. They've helped me reach new heights, while also helping me avoid pitfalls and minefields that can easily derail a promising career.

I believe immeasurably and infinitely in the concept of servant leadership. If we had to archetype my leadership philosophy, it would be the person with the machete in the jungle - walking in front of and clearing the way for the rest of the group... and then getting the &#$% out of the way once the path ahead is clear.

Andy, the deck builder.

Have you ever seen a truly beautiful deck? The presentation of all presentations? Where you can follow along easily, and you're taken on a magical journey.

There's no hard skill that I appreciate more than the ability to craft a truly beautiful deck. I believe that effective storytelling is 10% content, 20% delivery, 30% visuals & aesthetics, and 40% flow & sequencing.

There are few things professionally that I am quick to tout as something that I truly standout in compared to anyone else. Deck building is one of those things.

Andy, the consultant.

I'm motivated by the opportunity to solve a problem. Perhaps a pyschologist would say that I quantify my self worth relative to the number of problems I solve for myself and others. Whether that's a good thing or not, I'll let you be the judge.

When I'm working to solve a problem, create a new concept, or develop a strategy - I'm immersed in the world that I'm trying to improve, perfect, or create. Every problem that gets tackled is attacked with every experience, skill, and lesson learned from over 15 years building, leading, or contributing to high performing team that have accomplished extraordinary things.

Andy, the coach.

I believe that finding a mentor is like finding the perfect pair of jeans. For me, a nice pair of charcoal colored skinny jeans. Not black, not grey, charcoal, please.

A coach on the other hand is that pair of shoes that give your feet a little extra support, and puts a bit more pep in your step. A coach is that snapback cap or beanie that you've had for way too long, but just feel safe and confident when you wear it. A coach is that bathing suit that gives you the confidence to run into the water at the beach, even after a long winter when you may have eaten a couple more Twinkies than your waistband would like to handle.

As a coach, my objective is always to listen, prompt, and listen some more. The reality is that you most likely already have the right answer, or at least are 80% of the way there. My job is to help you get to the answer on your own or help you get your thought process unstuck.

Andy, the gamer.

I may or may not have spent the ages of 10 to 20 playing Runescape at pretty much all hours of the day and night. I'm actually scared to find out exactly how many hours of my most formitive years I gave to Runescape. I'll embrace blissful ignorance here, gladly.

When I started to get a big boy paycheck, I'm not ashamed to admit that most of it went towards micro-transactions in GTA V. I'm not saying I had a problem, but I'm not saying I didn't. What I am saying though, is that if the vehicle or plane could be purchased, it was purchased.

Fast forward to today and you can find me occassionally playing a simulator game, a strategy game, or a timeless classic that I will never get tired of, Civilization III.

If you've ever played (and enjoyed) Farming Simulator, Civilization, Destiny, or Kerbal Space Program... we may just be destined to become best friends.

Andy, the entrepreneur.

Since Taylor Swift seems to be the language to bridge all generational gaps and divides, I'll say it like this... I'm entering my entrepreneur era.

I'm excited to be embarking on a mission to create and build something from nothing. My first 15 years were spent improving, growing, and maintaining someone else's creation - I'm looking forward to the next 15 being about creating something that will have a lasting impact on people, adding substantial immediate and long term value for them.

I believe in creating value for others, and in the execution of responsible and pragmatic capitalism as a means to build a successful and profitable venture, capable of sustaining itself and its ability to continually add value to the community that it serves.

Andy, the imposter.

Hi, my name is Andy Danesi and I'm an imposter. Seriously, like a really big one. Perhaps one of the biggest imposters you'll ever meet.

And you know what? That's just fine by me.

Every where you look, something or someone is being sensationalized. Everyone claims to be and markets themselves as an expert, pioneer, innovator, and transformational leader. Then there's the rest of us. It's hard not to feel like an imposter, right?

I landed an amazing job, without a college degree. I became one of the youngest executives at a Fortune 5 company before the age of 30. I bought my first home before I was 25. I've built an exceptional life for myself and my family - traveling all over the country. Yet, I always feel like an imposter.

And that's just fine by me. I'm an imposter. I've found immense success despite not being an expert or pioneer in anything. My LinkedIn profile isn't full of sensationalized personal plugs.

I'm an imposter, forever chasing the opportunity to feel like I truly deserve the success I find... and some of you probably are too.