Andrea Hilario

A North Jersey Girl born and raised, Andrea grew up an avid reader and a fan of 1940s films starring Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn. Nights watching the History Channel and NOVA with her father sparked Andrea’s passion for understanding the world and people around her. Her love for learning different languages and cultures took flight when she found herself running around footloose and fancy-free across Europe as a teen.

Known not only for her glittery personality but also for her skill in translating high-level strategy into impactful, tactical-level operations.

Andrea is a trailblazer in advancing the Department of Defense’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) objectives. She is recognized across the Joint Services and international community for her commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 principles for effective conflict prevention and resolution, peace negotiations, peacebuilding, and peacekeeping efforts.

In March 2024, Andrea was invited by the Kenyan Defense Forces to the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC) Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, as a guest speaker for International Women’s Day and was recognized by the Director, IPSTC, Brig Gen Sitienei, for her work in WPS. 

Andrea commissioned in 2020 from the U.S. Air Force Academy with military distinction and is a Top Graduate and Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Logistics Readiness Officer Course. She is an Air Advisor Mission Commander and Logistics Readiness Officer and has deployed to Mauritania, Senegal, the Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Kenya.

Andrea earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University, where her interests included risk policy, management, and communication. Her master’s thesis examined the military environment and its social impacts on women serving in the U.S. armed forces, dual-military couples, and professional development for sustainable careers. Andrea is currently a Doctoral Candidate studying strategy and leadership and is also a published writer for Exceptional Release. 

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Andrea loves singing in French, is a recreational figure skater, and enjoys playing racquetball to classic rock and 90s bubblegum pop.