Allyson is a climber and California-licensed attorney who joined the American Alpine Club Board of Directors in 2022. She has a JD from Duke University and a Master in Global Business Law from Sciences Po and Duke. Prior to joining the AAC Board, Allyson was volunteer General Counsel for the Yosemite Climbing Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving Yosemite climbing history and primary host of the annual Yosemite Facelift cleanup event. Her involvement with the YCA was featured in an Adventure Sports Journal article, where she has also published a piece about recreation in the time of COVID-19.

Allyson’s commitment to the climbing community is fueled by her love of rock climbing. She began climbing in early 2006 in New England. She moved to California in Summer 2007 to be closer to the Sierra. Her climbing resume includes free ascents of many Yosemite Valley classics in the 5.8-5.9 range as well as an ascent of The Nose of El Capitan and leading Lunatic Fringe (5.10c). She has also climbed Vallunaraju in the Cordillera Blanca (18,655’ AD-), Mount Toubkal in Morocco, De l’S in Argentine Patagonia via a forty-five-degree, 300-meter snow couloir to the top of Austríaca (5.10a), and many alpine routes in the High Sierra. She is a proficient skier, on- and off-piste and in the backcountry.

In 2015, powered by an American Alpine Club Live Your Dream Grant , Allyson traveled to Argentine Patagonia where she climbed De l'S and attempted Guillaumet via the Brenner route. Some of the art inspired by the trip can be seen through @americanalpine on Instagram. In 2016, Allyson also had the opportunity to present photos and art from Patagonia and the Sierra to the Rock Ice & Mountain Club in Santa Rosa, California.

In 2021, Allyson became a parent and has jumped into the role of adventure mom, showing James all that mountains, beaches, and life have to offer. Since becoming a parent, Allyson has also been expanding resources to support climber parents. Follow her on Instagram on @ticklistmama.

In 2023, Allyson launched production of a film series of interviews with professional climbers to explore what it means to continue climbing after parenthood. Free-to-watch episodes in the Hand Holds series are coming soon.