Hi, I’m Allison. I was born and raised in Western North Carolina, and after living in a few different parts of the country, I’m happy to still call this area home.

After getting my PhD in developmental psychology, I’ve spent the past decade teaching in higher education where much of my work has centered on community building and creating spaces where people feel safe to show up as they are. In 2023, I founded a queer book club in my small rural town as a way for local queer folks to meet and connect. If I saw a space was needed but didn’t exist, my natural inclination was to try and build it.

As someone who has lived with anxiety for much of their life, I know how important community can be when things get hard. I’m excited to join Totem and help create spaces where people can connect, feel supported, and know they don’t have to navigate the difficult things alone.

Contact me at: allison@totem.org.