Andie Long – Account Manager

Andie Long is passionate about helping people compete in the marketplace of ideas. For more than two decades, she has worked with a range of clients focused on improving people’s lives, whether through healthcare and technology, greener energy, financial innovations, or global development. As an account manager at Firmani + Associates, Andie brings her expertise and enthusiasm for demystifying complex topics and helping clients tell a compelling story. 

When Andie began her PR career working with bioscience and healthcare clients, the Human Genome Project was nearly complete, and the promise of personalized medicine sparkled on the horizon. For nearly a decade she developed and managed media campaigns around new ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat cardiovascular disease, cancer, and a range of infectious diseases and genetic disorders.  

In a change of course, ten years later she began working with global humanitarian aid and global development organizations. At one global aid organization, she led communications initiatives for corporate partnerships and programming throughout Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Her first project involved the launch of a youth tech accelerator in Gaza, in partnership with Google.org.  

Fast forward another five years, and Andie started a PR consultancy, Thistle Strategies LLC, where she took on small clients with big ideas. These included a green tech automotive startup and an index-based insurance provider for smallholder farmers in Guatemala, among others.  

Andie graduated magna cum laude from Carleton College in Northfield, MN, with a B.A. in political science. She also has a certificate in game design from the University of Washington. She enjoys exploring Seattle’s forests, parks and beaches with her husband, Gabe, and their gregarious gray Newfoundland, Fiona.  

Favorite Quote:
“We’re all stories, in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?” – Dr. Who (The 11^th Doctor).

Perfect Meal:
The best bread, cheese, wine, and sliced apples she can find. Also, anything with lemon. 

Random Fact:
She designs and makes her own clothes. 

Favorite Word:
Ken (verb) – to teach or make known; to recognize; to understand. 

Recommendation Section:
Podcast – “If Books Could Kill”; Book – The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas.