As COO of the Annenberg Foundation for the last 12 years, Allison served as second-in-command for the $1.4B asset family foundation chaired by late visionary philanthropist Wallis Annenberg. During her tenure she oversaw day-to-day operations and created signature initiatives including the Annenberg Family Philanthropy Program, a philanthropic training program for the next generation; and PledgeLA, a partnership with the LA Mayor’s Office to increase access to capital in the tech and venture ecosystem. Allison was responsible for building the first teen tech center for youth in South LA, now a vibrant space for teens and young adults to explore career pathways in tech and creative industries.

Prior to the Annenberg Foundation, Allison served as Associate Dean of Marketing and Communications at UCLA Anderson School of Management where she oversaw a comprehensive rebranding of the school and brokered the first partnership between TED and an institute of higher education. Earlier in her career, Allison ran Media Relations for the Directors Guild of America, where she started her tenure as Managing Editor of DGA Magazine. She started out as a journalist, serving in such roles as West Coast correspondent for Money Magazine and assistant to syndicated columnist and author Richard Reeves.

Allison received her BA from Duke University and her MA in writing from the American Film Institute. She currently serves on the board of the Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator, on the advisory committee for the LACI Impact Fund, and as a member of the Lyft CitiWorks Council for Los Angeles. In 2019, Allison received the Hope and Courage Award from the national nonprofit CoachArt which is dedicated to creating a transformative arts and athletics community for families impacted by childhood chronic illness.