Allison Swagler

A Birmingham native, Allison has worked in community development and philanthropy in the city since 2014. She brings to VFA a strong lens for programming, mentorship, small business advising, and funder relations. Allison earned her B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from Washington and Lee University where she also completed a minor in Poverty and Human Capability. Early in her career she also earned her MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Before joining the VFA team she worked for the Alabama Power Foundation where she gained experience in program management, impact investing, and ecosystem-building. In her most recent role, she developed and managed the Foundation’s impact investing program. This is where she discovered her passion for working alongside local startups to help them increase their social impact and grow. She’s excited to bring that experience and continue supporting Birmingham’s entrepreneurship ecosystem in her role as Community Director!

She is an active member of the Rotaract Club of Birmingham and serves on the boards for Oasis Counseling for Women and Children and The Literacy Council of Central Alabama. She lives in Birmingham with her partner, Mustafa, and their two dogs, Charlie and Jack. In her free time she enjoys live music, exploring Birmingham’s amazing food scene, and frequent dog park visits.