Allison Porter: Organizer, catalyst, coach
Allison Porter is an organizational consultant who has been there; as an organizer, an executive director, a change agent and a human being on this earth, Allison has worked every day to make a difference. She started her career as a housing rights advocate and later a union organizer in the South and mid-Atlantic. Her first mentors were Ann Atwater and C.P. Ellis, whose story is featured in the book and movie The Best of Enemies.
In 1990, Allison helped to start the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute, a national program to recruit and train union organizers. Thousands of union members, community activists and students took the training and became organizers. In 2000, she left the AFL and began consulting with unions and nonprofit leaders to strengthen and grow their organizations.
In 2009, Allison joined forces with longtime colleague Joe Alvarez to form the Alvarez Porter Group. Together with Michele Berry they have built a network of talented and committed change practitioners who understand the dynamics of membership organizations and multi-stakeholder groups. They bring a passion for results and values-based approach to leadership development and organizational change work.
Allison has a Master’s in Organization Development from AU/NTL/NLC and is certified as an Executive Coach with the Neuroleadership Institute. She has studied human-centered design and innovation and has written extensively on leadership and change. She is on a path of discovery about herself, injustice, race, and power.
Allison lives in Brooklyn with her handsome husband, her adorable dog, and occasional visits from her three wonderful sons.
What I’m reading now:
Leadership Development
Strategy & Planning
Meetings & Retreats