About Andy
A career built across borders
Andy Hilliard’s work in global software engineering began with a belief formed long before distributed teams became standard: talent is everywhere, but successful collaboration depends on trust, context, and human understanding.
Costa Rica · circa 1989–199001
A global perspective, formed early
Andy’s work across borders began with Peace Corps service in Costa Rica. Living and working in unfamiliar communities developed an appreciation for relationships that cannot be built from a distance or reduced to process.
That experience shaped a belief that would follow him throughout his career: talent, intelligence, ambition, and creativity exist everywhere. Productive collaboration depends on understanding people, culture, and context.
Early global technology services02
Seeing the future of global technology services
Andy’s early work at Cognizant deepened his exposure to global talent, regional specialization, and distributed technology services.
The experience helped him see both the potential of global software delivery and the practical challenges that arise when organizations cross borders without enough attention to communication, incentives, and shared expectations.
Costa Rica03
Building a software company in Costa Rica
Andy built Isthmus as a nearshore software development firm serving the U.S. market. The experience showed him how global firms deliver for American clients, where partnerships break down, and what clients and providers often misunderstand about one another.
It also gave him direct experience building teams, developing technical capabilities, and translating between business cultures.
A different model04
From one development firm to an independent authority
Andy recognized that clients did not simply need another software provider. They needed an independent expert capable of evaluating a global market, understanding their business and technology needs, and identifying the partner most likely to succeed. That idea became Accelerance.
The model would also help capable international software firms improve how they present, lead, communicate, and deliver for U.S. clients.
The shift was from representing one provider to helping leaders choose well across a global market.
Clients and partners05
Improving both sides of the partnership
For clients
Helping executives select better-fit partners, design stronger operating models, improve delivery performance, and understand the real economics of software development.
For partners
Helping global software development firms avoid common pitfalls, mature their client-facing approach, communicate value clearly, and succeed in the U.S. market.
The next chapter06
A family business with a long-term mission
Today, Andy works alongside a broader leadership team that includes his son, Tomás, as Accelerance evolves from a partner-selection company into a broader global software engineering authority.
The next chapter includes advisory services, AI-enabled delivery, stronger measurement, and continued investment in the global partner network.
Beyond the work
Competition, family, and legacy
Outside of his work, Andy’s life has also been shaped by competition, family, and legacy. He played Division I hockey at the University of Denver. He is married, has three children, and lives in Sonoma County, California.