A Government Relations/Public Policy consultant and writer, Allison Silberberg served as the Mayor of Alexandria, Virginia, from 2016 through 2018 after serving as Vice Mayor from 2012 through 2015.
Her most recent consulting work includes serving as Government Relations Director for a housing nonprofit to help residents at risk of eviction or foreclosure at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and national housing crisis, as well as being part of the leadership team that has launched a statewide and national Stroke Smart campaign. She serves on the board of Centrist Democrats of America. Her recent columns about ethics reform, coping with the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, food insecurity, climate change and protecting our environment and tree canopy, and mental health have been published in numerous outlets, including The Washington Post.
Allison’s mayoral term had a transformational impact.
While mayor, Allison prioritized ethics, civic engagement, and transparency. She continues to advocate for a proactive, common-sense approach to government while championing education, social justice, environmental protection, affordable housing, common-sense gun reform laws, inclusiveness, and ethics reform.
Allison has over 30 years of experience in public policy and public service.
Allison is the author of two books, including Visionaries In Our Midst: Ordinary People who are Changing our World, which profiles individuals making a difference in our country. Visionaries In Our Midst hit #1 on Amazon’s List for Philanthropy & Charity.
Allison is also the author of And Life Will Be a Beautiful Dream: A Book about Peggy and Alvin Brown, a commissioned memoir about the meaningful life of a philanthropic family. The book is held privately. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, and on PBS.org. In 1989, she wrote an episode for the hit television series Mama’s Family.
Allison’s photography, which specializes in portraiture, has appeared in The Washington Post as well as other major newspapers and magazines in the States and abroad.
Her photograph of Coretta Scott King has garnered national attention and is represented by Getty Images.
A Russian Studies major in college, Allison has a B.A. in international relations and history from American University as well as an M.F.A. in playwriting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Allison has lived in Alexandria, Virginia, since 1989.
Allison’s accolades include: