About Andrew Villeneuve
Andrew Villeneuve is the founder of the Northwest Progressive Institute and its sibling, the Northwest Progressive Foundation. He serves in leadership roles in both organizations. NPI, founded in 2003, has an advocacy focus, powered by research, whereas NPF, formed in 2018, has an educational focus. NPI is organized as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization; NPF is organized as a 501(c)(3) charity.
Andrew has worked to advance progressive causes for over two decades as a strategist, speaker, author, and organizer. He is active in the Democratic Party, working to defend American democracy from authoritarianism, as a delegate to the Washington State Democratic Party Central Committee since 2013, and as the 1st Congressional District's representative on the party's executive board. He has been a delegate for Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, and Bernie Sanders to three different Democratic National Conventions, and served as Second Vice Chair for the King County Democrats in the early 2010s.
Andrew is also a cybersecurity expert, experienced facilitator, and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.
A lifelong Pacific Northwestener, Andrew was raised in Redmond, Washington. His interest in community service and technology took root at a young age. He twice participated in the City of Redmond’s Youth in Government Day and worked on the city’s Transportation Master Plan. For his community involvement, he received the Mayor’s Circle of Leadership Award from past Mayor Rosemarie Ives in 2005.
Andrew’s involvement in state and regional politics began following the passage of Tim Eyman’s Initiative 695, which cut funding for roads, transit, and ferries. (The initiative was thrown out by Washington’s Supreme Court as unconstitutional, but reinstated by the Legislature in 2000).
In 2002, not long after Eyman announced I-776 (intended to force the cancellation of Sound Transit’s Link light rail system), Andrew formed Permanent Defense to publicly oppose Eyman’s initiatives, which continues to fight against senseless schemes to wreck government. Permanent Defense subsequently became a key project of the Northwest Progressive Institute when NPI was launched in August 2003.
Andrew has worked on ballot measures since becoming an activist, organizing support for campaigns to pass worthy progressive ideas as well as organizing opposition to destructive right wing schemes purposely intended to undermine our Constitution and commonwealth.
Under his leadership, the Northwest Progressive Institute has grown from a simple idea to a nimble political startup influential in the politics of the Pacific Northwest, known for its insightful research, imaginative advocacy, uplifting photojournalism, and informative events.
Andrew is passionate about building infrastructure and keeping people safe. At NPI and NPF, Andrew builds sorely needed infrastructure to advance progressive causes. When not at work building progressive infrastructure, he is often reading, writing, or speaking in his capacity as a cybersecurity expert and facilitator.
Andrew’s other interests include traveling (when there isn’t a public health crisis!), photography, hiking, cooking, geology, oceanography, and watching sports like track, field, and cross country.