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About Allison

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Allison van Tilborgh is a communications strategist, certified life coach, executive coach, and writer who helps leaders and organizations clarify their message, align their teams, scale their impact, and design campaigns that connect with clarity and purpose. She works across a wide range of industries—including leadership development, publishing, insurance, and ministry—bringing cross-sector insight and practical strategy to every engagement.

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With more than 15 years of experience, Allison is known for her ability to translate complex ideas into clear communication, build systems that support healthy team dynamics, and coach leaders through meaningful growth. She has a background in information technology and holds dual degrees in Religious Studies and Organizational Communication from the prestigious Rollins College, where she graduated valedictorian. She also earned a Master of Theological Studies from Pacific School of Religion, where her research explores how faith intersects with everyday human experience—particularly in areas like food, identity, and the created world. Her written work reflects this intersection as well—she has contributed to national magazines, compilation books, and even authored sections of an academic textbook.

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Whether she's leading strategic planning sessions, building internal communication infrastructure, or shaping brand messaging, Allison empowers organizations to communicate what matters most—with precision, integrity, and long-term impact.

My Qualifications

I’m a strategist, consultant, and academic with 15+ years of experience spanning leadership development, publishing, insurance, ministry, nonprofits, and education. I’ve helped organizations clarify their message, align their teams, build internal systems, and launch high-impact campaigns that resonate.

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My work has taken many forms: executive leadership at a global media company, founder of grassroots initiatives, strategic advisor to pastors and CEOs, and communications coach for high-stakes environments.

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But titles only tell part of the story.

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I’m also a writer, theologian, and public speaker—someone who bridges disciplines and takes nuance seriously. I believe small details matter. The way we name things, structure systems, and tell stories creates entire worlds. That’s why I approach every project—whether I’m contributing to a textbook, crafting a brand message, or giving a keynote—with a commitment to depth, precision, and the generative potential of thoughtful design.

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My academic specialty—a theological exploration of food, faith, and embodied life—is part of a growing niche that’s reshaping how we understand spirituality, ethics, and everyday experience. It continually informs how I help leaders create frameworks that are not only strategic—but spiritually and culturally resonant.

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What follows is a snapshot of the roles I’ve held, the organizations I’ve partnered with, the national publications I’ve contributed to, and the events I’ve spoken at—all of which reflect the values that guide how I work.

Business & Leadership Experience

  • 15+ years in communications strategy, leadership coaching, and campaign design

  • Executive Director of Operations & Digital Media – Four Rivers Media

  • Founder & Principal Consultant – Allison van Tilborgh LLC

  • Certified Life Coach – Dream Releaser Coaching (2022)

  • Consultant and strategist for clients across leadership, publishing, insurance, nonprofit, and ministry sectors, including collaborations with:
    Korsgaden Insights, Church Boom, AVAIL Journal, T&T Construction Management Group, Oasis UK, Esperanza de Vida (Hope of Life), Do Orlando North, Queenly Consulting, Lead Ministry, Kidmin Nation, Maxwell Leadership, Hope Carpenter Ministries, Mike Todd, and others

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Writing & Thought Leadership

  • Contributor to AVAIL Journal, Korsgaden Insights, Chickpea, Do Orlando North, VegOut Magazine, and others

  • Peer-reviewed contributor to The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion & Food (2025)

  • Featured author in upcoming thought-leader compilation with Paul Young (The Shack), Steve Chalke (Oasis UK), and others (2025)

  • Founder & Editor‑in‑Chief – Interfaith Now, curating essays on spirituality, justice, and culture

  • Creator of The Sanford Vegan, a hyper‑local news and storytelling platform for Central Florida

  • Founder, Better Questions Rollins – A guerrilla art and public dialogue project based in Winter Park, FL

  • Founder, Groups Investigating God (GIG) – An interfaith student club launched on the Rollins College campus

 

Speaking & Podcast Appearances

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • “The Sabbath” – University Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (February 8, 2025)

  • “Food and Religion: What’s the Connection?” – Women’s Interfaith Network (May 18, 2024)

  • “Eating as Tikkun” – University Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (Oct 1, 2023)

  • “5 Lies I Was Told About Communication Studies” – Lambda Pi Eta Keynote (Apr 18, 2023)

  • National Academy Foundation Keynote (Mar 8, 2019)

 

Guest Teaching

  • Difficult Dialogues in Health Communication – Dr. Parsloe at Rollins College Communications Department (Nov 6, 2023)

  • Food & Religion – Dr. Greenberg at Rollins College Religious Studies Department (Apr 12, 2023)

 

Podcast Features

  • AVAIL Podcast – “Episode 216: Sabbath‑Fueled Leadership” (Oct 15, 2024)

  • Coffee with Craft – Episode 19: “Allison J van Tilborgh” (Oct 3, 2019)

  • Interfaith Now Podcast (Aug 2019)

 

Academic Background

  • M.T.S., Master of Theological Studies – Pacific School of Religion (2025)
    Focus: food, theology, and embodied spiritual life

  • B.A., Religious Studies & Organizational Communication – Rollins College (2021)
    Valedictorian | Concentration in Leadership & Communication Strategy

  • A.A., Information Technology – Seminole State College of Florida (2018)

 

Awards & Recognition 

  • General Charles McCormick Reeve Award

  • Outstanding Senior Scholar in Social Science

  • Senior & Junior Achievement in Religious Studies

  • Harriett Lake & Barbara Alfond Awards for Excellence in Jewish Studies

  • President’s List Honoree (2018–2021)

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