Feeling stuck on a “linear” path you never chose? Discover how Andrew turned zigzags, immigrant grit, and curiosity into a purpose-driven career at the helm of Vermont College of Fine Arts.

In this episode, Kevin and Andrew Ramsammy discuss:

• Early artistic journey and immigrant family background
• Nonlinear career paths in the arts and leadership
• Trusting the process and navigating uncertainty
• Curiosity, imagination, and problem-solving in leadership
• Servant leadership, community, and transparency in higher education

Key Takeaways:

• Complex career and life journeys are rarely linear; progress often looks like a series of zigs and zags that only make sense when you look back.
• Trusting the process—especially when you feel lost—can open doors you don’t yet see, as long as you stay engaged, curious, and willing to keep moving.
• Building a “tribe” of like-minded, additive people is essential; the right collaborators amplify creativity, resilience, and the ability to solve hard problems.
• Servant leadership, rooted in genuine curiosity about others and a willingness to advance them, can transform both institutions and individuals.
• Leaders must constantly balance transparency with discernment, recognizing that their words carry weight and can easily be taken out of context.

“The world needs problem solvers, and the only way that you can solve a problem is by approaching it with curiosity.” – Andrew Ramsammy

About Andrew Ramsammy:

Andrew Ramsammy is a highly accomplished creative professional and advocate with a longstanding commitment to the mission of Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA), where he has served on the board since 2021. A multiple Emmy Award winner, Andrew brings over 25 years of global industry experience to his work, with a deep focus on transformation and sustainability.

Prior to his role as VCFA’s President, Andrew led Word In Black, a pioneering digital collaboration among the nation’s leading Black news publishers, and directed the Knight x LMA BloomLab, a sustainability initiative supporting a free and independent Black press. His leadership reflects a deep commitment to democracy, education, and social justice.

A graduate of NYC’s LaGuardia High School for Drama and the School of Visual Arts for Film, Andrew was also a 2022 Sulzberger Fellow at the Columbia Journalism School.

Connect with Andrew Ramsammy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewramsammy

Podcast: https://live-vcfa.pantheonsite.io/about/unapologetically-creative-podcast/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63