Allison Reser worked at the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado from 2016-2017. Alliance is a nonprofit in Downtown Denver whose mission is to transform sustainability from vision to reality. She started working with Alliance as a Program Assistant Intern involved with events that engage industry professionals, interested citizens, and elected officials in sustainability. Allison turned her Programs Internship into the role of Tenant & Visitor Services Coordinator, where she serviced events, collected and analyzed event metrics, managed the Statewide Sustainability Calendar and created a positive culture and community through programming activities. Alliance is a very vibrant and collaborative work space and Allison enjoyed her time there.
Since leaving Alliance, Allison has focused her career on advancing sustainable solutions to protect life. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Allison spent nearly six years in New York City where she earned her M.S. in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in 2022 and cultivated a diverse portfolio of sustainability-focused experience including consulting for the film and TV industry, environmental education as an Urban Park Ranger, and advocating the business merits of the circular economy with TerraCycle. Allison is now based in Boulder serving as the Director of Sustainability and Innovation at the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), here, Allison shapes the strategic vision for sustainability in the pet industry.
Career Journey and Passion for Sustainability
Allison’s interest in environmental impact began in her youth, when her parents influenced her. A pivotal moment came in middle school when she watched "An Inconvenient Truth," and realized the threat to the natural places she loved. This concern deepened when she noticed a glacier at her favorite backpacking spot had shrunk significantly. A tour of the EPA’s Denver offices with her aunt reassured her—people were actively working on solutions, and she knew she wanted to be one of them.
Breaking into the Sustainability Field
After earning a degree in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability from Colorado State University in 2015, Allison struggled to find a clear path into the sustainability job market. With few job listings, she took a creative approach—identifying impactful organizations and pursuing roles that fit her skills. This led her to The Alliance Center in Denver, where she started as a front desk reception/community event planner, leveraging networking and persistence to enter the field.
Today, sustainability is a more established career path, but professionals still face choices: working at impact-driven organizations, embedding sustainability in traditional companies, or advocating from within less sustainable industries. Allison’s advice? Conduct as many informational interviews as possible—she even offers to connect with aspiring professionals herself.
Community Engagement and Program Development
Recently, Allison and her team conducted a survey to assess tenant feedback on community programming. Based on the results, she is developing a "connections plan" to make events more intentional and impactful. Additionally, she and her team are celebrating the success of their Bike to Work Day event, which welcomed 205 cyclists to their breakfast station.
Excitement About the Impact Space
Currently, Allison is excited about data-driven decision-making in sustainability. She sees a growing demand for impact data among PSC’s members, reinforcing the need for scientifically grounded strategies. Companies using data to assess environmental impact—like evaluating ingredient sustainability in pet food—show they recognize their broader responsibilities.
However, accessibility to sustainability data remains a challenge. Allison is exploring how PSC, as a nonprofit industry association, can support open-source impact data while ensuring financial backing for researchers and data validators. She welcomes ideas from the broader sustainability community.
Driving Change Through Trust
Allison believes building trust is key to making an impact. She emphasizes reliability, open communication, authenticity, and active listening as essential traits of effective leaders. Her recent promotion at PSC underscores the trust placed in her to lead sustainability initiatives and foster meaningful change in the industry.
Reflections on CSU and Advice for Emerging Professionals
Allison credits Colorado State University for preparing her for a sustainability career. She valued the close-knit learning environment and connections with peers and professors. However, she acknowledges that finding a job was challenging and urges students to start their job search early.
Her advice? Don’t wait until graduation—use the resources available while still in school. Job hunting takes persistence, and having a support system, including professors, mentors, and career services, can make the transition smoother.
Looking Ahead
As she continues leading sustainability efforts at PSC, Allison remains committed to fostering industry-wide change. Through collaboration, data-driven strategies, and mentorship, she is dedicated to moving the needle toward a more sustainable future.