Andreas Vailakis
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer
SIS Faculty
Degrees
Masters of Social Enterprise, American University School of International Service
Bio
Andreas Vailakis has worked as a coach, consultant, and teacher in the meditation, mindfulness, and social enterprise spheres. His focus is on compassion, connection, authenticity, and awareness. He is an adjunct professor for AU’s School of International Service, teaching courses in social enterprise such as: Leading Social Innovation, Social Enterprise Context and Best Practices, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Andreas has worked with several organizations and leaders, managing projects across several fields and countries. Notably, he has worked in Latin America (Peru and Honduras), and East Africa (Rwanda), as well as Los Angeles and Washington, DC. His primary experience is in the nonprofit social enterprise sector, but has worked with a wide variety of organizations such as DC Central Kitchen, One Acre Fund (Rwanda), Winrock International, Ashoka (Peru), Kate Spade New York, Hanes, and various other organizations and family foundations.
Andreas has taught and created courses, trainings, and curriculum on topics related to mindfulness (in the workplace), human centered design, leadership and management, innovation, lean startup, and so on. Andreas currently serves as the Program Director for Big Bear Retreat Center in the mountains of Southern California, a center that hosts groups in holistic contemplative mindfulness and meditation practices as well as social justice.
Andreas is an Adjunct Professor for AU's online program for courses in Social Enterprise. He generally teaches: Leading Social Innovation, Social Enterprise Context and Best Practices, and Private Sector Engagement (CSR).
