Allison Muhlendorf brings 20 years of experience in public policy and advocacy to Longleaf Strategies. As Executive Director of the Alabama School Readiness Alliance from 2012 – 2023, Allison led the advocacy campaign that helped grow state investments in Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program from $19 million to$182 million. As a result, the percentage of children enrolled has grown from six to 47 percent of Alabama four-year-olds. Allison was also instrumental in securing Alabama’s first state investment in child care. Allison has advanced state policy initiatives to support children and families in more than 25 states in roles with The Pew Charitable Trusts, Pre-K Now, the Oregon State Senate, the Children’s Institute and Longleaf Strategies. Allison began her career teaching in a preschool classroom.
Allison holds a master’s degree in education policy from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree in politics from Willamette University. Allison is the recipient of the Non Nobis Solum award from Willamette University and has been honored by the Alabama Media Group’s Women Who Shape the State. Allison is featured as an expert in the documentary film Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America.