kate s. allison

ceo
coach

"Keeping sight of the fact that communication is a basic human transaction guides effective strategy. It is useful to help clients dismantle presuppositions that favor one communications approach over another. What matters is who is speaking to whom, what is said, what is heard and whether there is a basis for trust."

Kate Allison's native talent is her exceptional insight. She assimilates information and circumstances with a clarity that quickly translates into a vision for what is possible. The daughter of a police detective, the communications approach she brings clients blends her penchant for facts, human instincts and a career full of extraordinary professional experiences.

Kate's approach has evolved as a result of working with countless clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to community arts organizations, providing strategic communications planning, leadership communications, public affairs, earned media, issues and crisis management and community relations. She founded Alta Communications in 1999, the foremother of the Karma Agency. Previously, as the managing director of the Philadelphia office of Golin/Harris, she directed strategies and communication programs for global companies including dominant brands in financial services, health care, higher education, foundations and non-profits, environment, and consumer products including franchise businesses.

Active in civic and community affairs, Kate is a member of The Forum of Executive Women and a founding member of the Paradigm Award for Business Leadership and Excellence sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. She has served on numerous non-profit boards and is a former director of the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and a former member of its Executive Committee.

She was the 2004 recipient of the Ethos Award for Character and Excellence in Communications presented by Villanova University. A Villanova University graduate, she also worked as a legislative assistant in the Washington office of then-U.S. Rep. Al Gore, Jr. She is married and is the mother of Liz and Drew.