Allison is the president of her own strategic communication firm in the Washington, DC area. She works with clients to create strategic approaches, identifying the best tactics to reach specific audiences. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, teaching in the Master’s program for Public Relations and Corporate Communications. Prior to running her own business, Allison spent over 7 years at the Department of Defense. She was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Internal Communications and Public Liaison. In this position, she was responsible for the Department's communication to the men and women of the military, worldwide, and for community relations programs that link citizens to members of the Armed Forces at home and abroad.
 
The operational components of Ms. Barber's organization were the American Forces Radio and Television, the Pentagon Channel, the American Forces Press Service, the Department's Internet web operations, the Defense Media Center, and Stars and Stripes newspaper.

Ms. Barber's Public Liaison responsibilities included oversight of outreach programs, such as the Secretary's Joint Civilian Orientation Program and the Department's Speakers Bureau, as well as policies and initiatives that provided community and other organizations with opportunities to better understand Defense policies and strengthen support of America's Armed Forces.

Past Experiences: Ms. Barber comes to her position with extensive experience in public relations and advertising. Prior to this position, Ms. Barber was the President of Sodenta, her public relations firm in Washington, D.C. Previously, she was President of the Washington D.C. office of PlowShare, a Connecticut-based advertising agency. From 1992 to 1998, she was a Public Relations Director for the American Red Cross. From 1986 to 1991, Barber was a grade school teacher at Merrillville Public School in Indiana and served as Vice President of the Teachers Association.

Education: Ms. Barber holds a BS in Elementary Education from Tennessee Temple University and a MS in Elementary Education from Indiana University.