When you meet Allison Gant, you quickly realize that leadership is not just a role she plays—it’s a calling she lives out every day. With a career spanning education, nonprofit leadership, the arts, and civic engagement, Allison has spent decades shaping the future of Alamance County through her unwavering commitment to service, mentorship, and community growth.
Mentoring: Empowering the Next Generation
Allison’s passion for mentorship shines through her 15+ years with the Alamance Youth Leadership Academy (AYLA), where she now serves as Chair. She helps guide and inspire local 7th and 8th-graders through leadership development and civic engagement. Her influence extends beyond formal programs—she is a trusted mentor to many, offering guidance, encouragement, and a model of integrity.
It is clear that Allison continues to search for opportunities to learn and develop as a leader. She is an example to people that engage with her and a mentor to so many.
Community Development: Building a Stronger Alamance
From 2014 to 2022, Allison served on the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education, including five years as Chair. She led the district through a transformative redistricting process and championed a $150 million bond referendum that funded a new high school and critical infrastructure improvements. Her leadership was marked by thoughtful collaboration and a steadfast focus on students.
Allison welcomed input from every voice, even from those who strongly disagreed with her. She treated people with respect and fairness, guiding the process with persistence and balance.
Beyond education, Allison has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees, always seeking ways to strengthen the community she has called home for over 30 years.
Philanthropy: Giving Back with Purpose
Allison’s philanthropic spirit is evident in her extensive volunteer work. She has chaired the American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, led fundraising for the North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center, and supported the Alamance County Arts Council, United Way, and Alamance-Caswell Hospice League.
She also continues to support the arts through her role as Company Manager for KARIZMA, a nonprofit performing group at the Burlington Academy of Dance and Arts, where she taught for 31 years. Her love for dance began early—she opened her own studio at just 13 years old in Suffolk, Virginia.
Business & Advocacy: Driving Innovation and Inclusion
As Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Institute for Community Service Leaders, Allison is leading the organization into a new era of growth and sustainability. She also serves as Vice Chair of Investor Engagement for the Alamance Chamber, helping shape the future of local economic development. Her leadership of the ROAR Women’s Symposium, which now draws over 500 attendees, reflects her commitment to professional development and community connection.
Allison was also an early and passionate advocate for women in Alamance County. She served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Resource Center, chaired key committees, and led as Board President, championing fundraising efforts and always keeping the needs of the center—and the women it serves—at the forefront.
Allison Gant’s legacy is one of service, strength, and steadfast dedication to others. She leads not for recognition, but from a deep belief in the power of community and the potential of every individual. She is also a proud wife to Eddie Gant, Jr., mother to Olivia and Edmund, and grandmother to baby Thomas—roles she cherishes most of all.
For these reasons and many more, Allison truly exemplifies what it means to Lead the Way.
