Andela Inc., a leading global marketplace for technical talent, has announced the appointment of Carrol Chang as its new Chief Executive Officer. Effective September 17, 2024, Chang will succeed Jeremy Johnson, Andela’s co-founder, who will transition out of the CEO role but continue to contribute to the company as a member of its Board of Directors. This leadership change marks a significant moment for Andela as the company positions itself for continued expansion in the global talent market.

Carrol Chang's Background and New Role

Carrol Chang joins Andela with a wealth of experience in scaling global marketplaces. Prior to this role, she served as the Global Head of Driver and Courier Operations at Uber, where she played a pivotal role in expanding Uber's marketplace of flexible workers to nearly 7 million people across more than 70 countries. Her leadership was instrumental in driving the growth of Uber’s ridesharing and delivery businesses, which together are valued at $130 billion.

In her new role as CEO of Andela, Chang is poised to lead the company through its next stage of growth. Reflecting on her appointment, Chang expressed her enthusiasm for joining a mission-driven organization like Andela, which has the potential to redefine the global talent marketplace. She highlighted the company’s decade-long history of connecting top talent with global opportunities and emphasized her commitment to continuing this mission.

Andela’s Growth and Strategic Vision

Founded in 2014, Andela initially focused on training African software developers to meet the growing demand for technical talent in the United States and other markets. Over the past decade, the company has evolved into one of the largest private marketplaces for skilled digital talent, serving clients across 135 countries. Andela’s innovative approach to talent development and its commitment to creating opportunities for individuals regardless of their geographic location have been key drivers of its success.

Under Jeremy Johnson’s leadership, Andela achieved unicorn status in 2021 following a $200 million Series E funding round led by SoftBank. The company has continued to expand its reach, entering new markets in Latin and South America and acquiring Qualified, an assessment platform that certifies top engineering talent. As the global hiring landscape undergoes a digital transformation, Andela is well-positioned to capitalize on the $8.5 trillion global talent market.

Jeremy Johnson’s Legacy and Transition

Jeremy Johnson, who co-founded Andela and served as its CEO for ten years, has been a visionary leader, guiding the company from its early days as an innovative African startup to its current status as a global leader in the talent marketplace. Johnson’s decision to step down as CEO comes as Andela embarks on a new chapter in its growth. He expressed confidence in Chang’s ability to lead the company through this next phase, citing her strategic leadership and deep experience in scaling tech-enabled marketplaces.

The transition is supported by Andela’s Board of Directors, including Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Andela Board. Gillard praised Johnson’s contributions to Andela and welcomed Chang as a leader who is uniquely qualified to drive the company’s future success.

Carrol Chang’s appointment as CEO marks a pivotal moment for Andela as the company continues to expand its influence in the global talent market. With her extensive experience in scaling global marketplaces and her commitment to Andela’s mission, Chang is well-equipped to lead the company into its next stage of growth. As Jeremy Johnson transitions to his new role on the Board of Directors, Andela remains focused on its goal of connecting brilliant talent with global opportunities, ensuring that it continues to play a leading role in the digital transformation of the global hiring landscape.