Andela Inc., one of the world’s leading private marketplaces for technical talent, has made a significant leadership change, appointing Carrol Chang as its new Chief Executive Officer. Effective September 17, 2024, Chang will also join Andela’s Board of Directors. She succeeds Jeremy Johnson, co-founder of Andela, who will remain an active member of the board.
A Proven Leader Takes the Helm
Carrol Chang brings a wealth of experience to Andela, having served as the Global Head of Driver and Courier Operations at Uber. During her tenure at Uber, she successfully grew the company’s driver base to nearly 7 million across more than 70 countries, contributing to the expansion of Uber’s $130 billion ridesharing and delivery businesses. Her expertise in scaling tech-enabled marketplaces and leading high-growth initiatives makes her an ideal choice to steer Andela into its next phase.
Chang’s Vision for Andela
Expressing her enthusiasm about her new role, Chang said, “I am deeply grateful for the privilege to lead Andela. It’s rare to find a mission-driven company that also has the potential to create a category-defining business. I’m inspired by the way Jeremy has led Andela to this point, and I appreciate the trust he and the Board now put in me to carry forward its mission.”
Chang highlighted the immense potential of the global talent market, which she estimates to be an $8.5 trillion opportunity. She emphasized Andela’s decade-long track record of connecting skilled talent with global opportunities and expressed her commitment to advancing Andela’s mission to the next level.
Jeremy Johnson’s Legacy
Jeremy Johnson, who co-founded Andela in 2014, has been instrumental in the company’s growth from a small African start-up to a global talent marketplace. Under his leadership, Andela became the first talent marketplace to achieve unicorn status, revolutionizing access to technical talent across the globe. Reflecting on his decision to step down as CEO, Johnson said, “After ten years, I’m deeply proud of the change we’ve helped to catalyze. Carrol is the perfect leader both for Andela’s next stage of growth and to help usher in the era of talent marketplaces.”
Johnson lauded Chang’s operational expertise and her experience in enhancing user experiences within multi-sided marketplaces, noting that her leadership would be instrumental in making Andela the most trusted talent marketplace worldwide. While stepping down as CEO, Johnson’s continued involvement as a board member ensures that his vision and passion for Andela remain part of the company’s future.
Board Support and Future Outlook
Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of Andela’s Board of Directors, praised Johnson’s contributions, stating, “Andela exists because of the vision and determination of Jeremy Johnson. Jeremy has grown Andela from a revolutionary idea to one of the most impactful and highly regarded start-ups in the world.” Gillard welcomed Chang’s appointment, noting her unique capability to guide Andela into its next chapter.
Andela’s Journey and Impact
Since its inception in 2014, Andela has trained over 110,000 technologists across Africa, creating thousands of jobs and empowering talented individuals from more than 135 countries to build world-class careers, irrespective of their location. The company’s mission-driven approach has consistently focused on bridging the gap between skilled technical talent and global opportunities.
