As the Navy SEAL Foundation's Chief Programs Officer, Alison is responsible for leading the Foundation’s comprehensive and innovative programming and critical support for the NSW force and their families, ensuring growth, stability, and effectiveness. She manages and oversees the execution of a $24 million annual budget, ensuring program efficacy and sustainability. Alison evaluates each of NSF’s programs for efficacy and sustainability, developing and recommending policies and procedures for program evaluation and creative changes. She utilizes a dynamic and diversified team of experts in various fields for the collaborative and innovative execution of each support pillar, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and thought leaders to uncover issues, identify solutions, and offer guidance. Alison plans and executes NSF's Impact Forum and Thought Leaders' Symposium, driving change and ensuring milestone achievements. She coordinates collaboration between federal and non-federal entities to promote a collective impact model. In her leadership role, she oversees specialized personnel teams focused on collective impact and adherence to Evidence-Based Practice models, and interviews and hires staff members, interns, and fellows to enhance departmental strengths. Additionally, she assists the development team with programmatic metrics, storytelling, event development, and donor engagement. Alison joined the Navy SEAL Foundation in 2014 with more than 20 years of experience in both active duty and support service, including military family readiness, lifestyle and organizational training for active duty, reserve and special operations personnel. She also has more than four years of active duty service as a United States Marine in a frequently deployed unit with high-level security clearance. In Alison’s previous roles as a Marine Corps Family Readiness Officer and as the Warrior and Family Support Coordinator at Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Group TWO, she received numerous awards and accolades for her achievement, including the Department of the Navy Meritorious Service Civilian Medal for her exceptional work that made a significant and positive impact on NSW’s warriors and families. Throughout more than two decades of service with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and Naval Special Warfare, Messick has developed a deep understanding of the NSW community’s unique challenges and long-term needs. Alison received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and journalism from the University of Maryland University College, a Master of Arts in government from Regent University, and a Graduate Leadership Certificate from the University of Virginia. She is a CliftonStrengths and EQI 2.0/EQ 360 Coach, as well as a member of The National Medal of Honor Leadership Institute Flagship Cohort.
