Andrea Goubeaux is a social worker turned entrepreneur who is on a mission to transform how social services and healthcare professionals are trained. With her venture, Empathium, Andrea is bridging the gap between theory and practice by introducing AI-powered simulations that prepare frontline caregivers for the “moments that matter.” Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to strengthening the infrastructure of care for those who need it most — a journey that resonates deeply with Fuzia’s mission of empowering women and creating impact-driven change.
Q: Andrea, how did the idea of Empathium come to life?
Andrea: I started my career as a social worker after graduating with my master’s in 2015. Very quickly, I noticed a huge theory-to-practice gap — what we learned in classrooms didn’t always translate to the realities of the field. I worked with children, families, and homeless teenagers, and later as an instructor and field education director. From that vantage point, I realized these gaps were systemic.
After burning out, I transitioned to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where I worked on electronic health record modernization and learned about product design and health IT systems. At the same time, AI was rapidly changing industries. While many in social services are often technophobic, I realized these tools were coming whether we liked it or not. If they weren’t shaped by people within the field, they risked missing the heart of what social work is about.
That’s when I decided to create Empathium — to write the story I wanted to see: one where AI supports social workers and healthcare providers in practicing and preparing for critical interactions before they happen. When I shared the idea, people told me, “We need that yesterday.” That’s when I knew I had to build it.
Q: Who are you building Empathium for?
Andrea: Our initial focus is social workers and frontline caregivers — those working in mental health facilities, community organizations, and alongside nurses. We are also targeting social work and medical students, who can use Empathium to practice real-world interactions even before entering the field.
Beyond that, we see applications in healthcare, HR, first responders, and even law enforcement — essentially anyone responsible for care in critical moments. Our goal is to integrate Empathium into systems like EHRs and LMSs and become a trusted platform for continuing education and evidence-based training.
Q: What challenges do you face as a founder, and how do you turn them into opportunities?
Andrea: One challenge is staying true to our mission. We want to support the infrastructure of care providers who carry the heaviest weight in society. Even if investors push us to broaden our audience, we can’t dilute that focus.
Another challenge is that I don’t come from a traditional startup background. Many founders are MBAs or engineers, and I’m not. But I see this as a strength — I am the customer. I know firsthand what social workers need, and I’m building Empathium from that deep domain expertise. Every day I’m teaching myself new things and learning as I go. It’s both daunting and exciting.
Q: What are your thoughts on women’s empowerment in entrepreneurship?
Andrea: I’ve seen how powerful it is when women support each other. Nearly every advancement I’ve made so far has been because one woman introduced me to another. That has been incredibly impactful for me and for Empathium.
I also think it’s important to recognize the disparity: women represent such a small percentage of venture-funded businesses, yet a much larger percentage of successful outcomes. As a Black woman, I’ve been fortunate to access spaces like SEA619, an accelerator for Black founders in Seattle, and to connect with networks designed to uplift women.
That said, I challenge not just women-focused funds to grow — but also the traditional investors who typically fund only a narrow demographic. Real change will happen when all investors diversify and recognize the value women-led companies bring to the table.
“Every opportunity I’ve had so far has been through women lifting up other women. That’s the power of empowerment — and the reason Empathium exists, to support those doing the hardest work in our communities.” — Andrea Goubeaux
Connect with Andrea Goubeaux
🌐 Website: www.empathium.ai
💼 LinkedIn (Andrea): linkedin.com/in/andrea-goubeaux
📌 LinkedIn (Empathium): linkedin.com/company/empathium
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