Andrea Conte, First Lady of Tennessee, is founder and President of You Have the Power…Know How to Use It, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to raising awareness about crime and justice issues. The group produces documentary videos and resource guidebooks on topics such as elder abuse, domestic violence and child sexual abuse. The videos are distributed nationwide to law enforcement agencies, schools, civic groups and therapists. In addition, You Have the Power conducts numerous public programs across Tennessee.

In her first year as First Lady of Tennessee, Conte identified three key initiatives. The first of those was to establish a Child Advocacy Center in each of the 31 judicial districts across the state. Child Advocacy Centers are child-friendly places where forensic interviews can be conducted and the Child Protective Investigative Team can discuss the merits of the case and develop a plan. These centers also provide ongoing counseling to help children recover from sexual or physical abuse.

In September 2004, Conte launched a walk across the state to promote public awareness of child abuse and raise support for these nonprofit facilities. Her journey took her more than 600 miles from Memphis to Bristol and raised more than one million dollars for child advocacy efforts.

A second major initiative was the creation of a state-wide Commission on Crime Victims Assistance. The citizen Commission, established in August 2003, is responsible for providing recommendations and advice on benefits and other issues associated with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.

In addition to her work on crime and justice issues, the First Lady has also embarked on a campaign to restore and preserve Tennessee’s Executive Residence. She worked with state and private architects to develop a long range restoration and preservation plan, and formed a state-wide, bi-partisan Finance Committee to secure private contributions to fund completion of the project.

Conte’s early career as a registered nurse included work in Boston and California. She later held management roles, with the former Hospital Corporation of America and the former accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney. Other experience included owning and operating Conte Philips, a retail shop and cooking school, and establishing the Rosalie Conte Foundation, which grants college scholarships to students pursuing higher education.

Conte was born in Massachusetts and attended public schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of Washington at Seattle, and an MBA from Tennessee State University in Nashville. She and Governor Phil Bredesen have one son.