Alison joined Fragomen in May 2017 as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, responsible for worldwide business development, marketing and communications. She oversees a team of global professionals and collaborates closely with them and with firm management on strategies and initiatives that drive client retention and loyalty.
Alison has been successfully advising major international law firms and other leading global organizations for more than 20 years on business strategy, international expansion, client and business development, branding and differentiation, and profile-raising. From individual coaching to group training sessions, she has been a trusted advisor to lawyers and other professionals, and she has successfully built and led teams across multiple jurisdictions.
Previously, Alison served as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer and Strategic Advisor to the Chairman and Management Committee at a global Am Law 100 firm based in Washington, DC. Among her many accomplishments, she launched a firm-wide client feedback program; reshaped the firm’s CRM program; developed targeted training programs for lawyers; oversaw the revamp of the firm’s website; and led the development of a comprehensive experience management database.
Prior to that, Alison served as the Head of Business Development at another global Am Law 100 firm, based in New York. Before that, she worked for two global (“Magic Circle”) law firms, one where she was based in Bahrain and the UAE as the Head of Business Development for the Middle East and North Africa, and the other where she worked in several global business development roles. In each of these firms, Alison helped drive business planning, shape client focus and feedback efforts, and develop thought leadership programs.
Earlier in her career, Alison was a producer at a multimillion dollar video and production company where she developed and ran marketing initiatives and produced videos for major corporations. She started her career at Capital One Financial Corporation where she was one of four graduates nationwide hired into its competitive Management Training Program.
Alison speaks English, French, Mandarin and some Spanish.
Education
Oxford University, Saïd Business School | Executive Management Degree, 2007
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs | Master of International Affairs, 1999
James Madison University, College of Business | B.B.A., 1993, magna cum laude
Professional Accomplishments / Memberships
Member, Legal Marketing Association, CMO Special Interest Group
Member, IvyLife
Member, International Business Advisory Council, James Madison University, College of Business
Former Member, Launch Team, BizLadies Bahrain
Former Member, Dubai Marketing Professionals
Former Member, Executive Committee, Managing Partners Forum
Former Member, Advisory Board, School for Democracy and Leadership, New York City
Publications and Lectures
Panelist, “Client Feedback 2.0: Critical Roles, A Fresh Perspective.” Panel presentation, Legal Marketing Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 2017.
Panelist, “Making Your Marketing Budget Go Further.” Panel presentation, International Bar Association Annual Conference, Washington, DC, September 2016.
Panelist, “Key Issues, Opportunities and Challenges Facing CMOs.” Panel presentation, Legal 500 Annual CMO Roundtable, Washington, DC, September 2016.
Panelist, “Big Ideas from CMOs.” Panel presentation, Legal Marketing Association Capital Chapter Senior Leaders Session, Washington, DC, February 2015.
Panelist, “What Do CMOs Want from Their PR Team?” Panel presentation, Washington, DC, Law Firm Marketing Partners, October 2014.
Judge, Legal Marketing Association Southeast Your Honor Awards, New York, NY, September 2013.
Moderator, “Turning Trends Into Revenue-Generating & Brand-Building Opportunities.” Panel presentation, American Lawyer, New York, NY, May 2011.
Speaker, “Taking Your CRM to the Next Level.” Lecture, Acritas Conference, New York, NY, February 2011.
Faculty Member and Speaker, Marketing Directors Institute, 2004 to 2007.
Author, New York and the World. New York, NY, May 1999. Print.
Assistant Editor, United Nations China Human Development Report: Transition and the State. Beijing, China: United Nations Development Programme, Chief Financial & Economic Publishing House, 1999. Print and web.