Alyssa has an undergraduate degree of B.S. Business Administration, Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration, MBA, with a concentration in International Strategy. She has been involved with Best Buddies since 2012 and joined as a staff member in 2016. Currently as Deputy Director of Foundations and Grants, Alyssa is supporting the procurement of private, corporate, and community foundation funding to support the operations and expansion of the Best Buddies International Programs Department. Throughout her tenure as staff, she has expanded the reach of programs and operations throughout the Western United States. Serving as Program Manager to Regional Director to Director of Mission Advancement, her experience is in developing partnerships with local and national organizations, planning 5-Star Friendship Walks and Galas, and developing and overseeing inaugural event committees and Advisory Boards. Alyssa has had various leadership roles throughout her time as staff, including serving as a new hire mentor, being selected for the inaugural Leadership Best Buddies class, serving on the 5 Star National Friendship Walk Team, leading programmatic trainings at the International Leadership Conference, and serving on the Curriculum Committee to further the professional advancement of staff.
Outside of Best Buddies, Alyssa has a passion for global education that started with her studying abroad in Beijing, Shanghai, Oxford, London, and Vietnam. She has worked and volunteered in the Higher Education industry since 2013 supporting University strategy and development, including grant funding, relationship development with local and global communities, and most recently as a faculty member teaching a variety of courses within Business schools.