Alison joined the University of Cambridge in 2013 as executive director, development and alumni relations. She is responsible for carrying forward the University’s philanthropic agenda, which includes leading the £2billion fundraising Campaign for the University and Colleges of Cambridge as well as expanding and enhancing alumni relations. In 2019, Alison led the team and secured the largest single gift to a UK organisation by a UK national, a £100m gift from the Claudia and David Harding Foundation.

Alison has worked in higher education advancement for 30 years, previously holding senior roles in the USA.  Alison led a $3bn campaign for the University of Virginia where she was associate vice-president for development.  Prior to this she completed a $25m six-year campaign two years ahead of schedule as director of development for the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins University, where she oversaw an increase in giving from $1m to $11m annually. 

Alison began her relationship with CASE as a CASE Student Scholar at the 1987 District I Conference, has subsequently spoken at a number of CASE conferences, and served on the CASE 50 Steering Committee.  In addition she has been serving on the faculty of the Big Ten Fundraiser Institute since 2018.