Andrea Delgado

Chief of Staff, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Andrea's approach to leadership is marked by her fierce dedication and compassionate approach, blending strategic organizing, cultural competency, coalition building, and bilingual communications. Her efforts in national policy, advocacy, and legislative campaigns are distinguished by her ability to find common ground and secure bipartisan support on contentious agricultural, environmental, labor, and immigration issues. Her work has led to the enactment of legislation that supports agricultural workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and protects the public from exposure to toxic waste, chemicals, and pesticides. Notably, Andrea spearheaded the legislative strategy for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, a groundbreaking bipartisan bill that establishes a path to legalization for undocumented farm worker families, reforms the H-2A visa program, and improves the living and working conditions of farm labor.

At the USDA, Andrea oversees the U.S. Forest Service and the implementation of provisions from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) relevant to the agency. She also leads efforts to reform wildland firefighter compensation and advance tribal co-stewardship of the nation's forests and grasslands. Andrea is a convener and catalyst for engagement, seamlessly navigating across social movements and sectors. She connects tribes, communities, non-governmental organizations, labor unions, industry, and government to uplift underrepresented voices and secure inclusive and impactful federal policy solutions.

At USDA, Andrea oversees the U.S. Forest Service, the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions relevant to the agency, and leads efforts to reform wildland firefighter compensation, and advance Tribal co-stewardship of the nation's forests and grasslands.

Andrea's academic credentials include an Executive Education Program and Chief of Staff Certification from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. She also holds a Master of Public Administration and Policy (MPAP) from American University, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a concentration in Global Political Economy and a minor in French from SUNY Geneseo.