Allison Smith

I attribute my success to the incredible mentors and family who shaped my journey. My late Aunt Elaine Smith and my father have been the backbone of my career, providing unwavering support and guidance. Andrea Dunn, a Product Owner at UPS, was also a remarkable mentor—she created a supportive environment, keeping the pressure low during hectic times, and remains a valued connection in my professional network.

One of my proudest achievements was at UPS, where I managed five products simultaneously without a program or design system under a critical timeline. I navigated ambiguity, increased revenue by over 50% in Europe, and implemented an app to optimize delivery with third-party routing navigation.

My advice to young women entering the industry is simple: believe in yourself and your ideas, never stop learning, and keep driving toward the vision of what you want. Confidence and persistence are as critical as skill, and your ideas can truly make an impact if you remain committed.

I value both personal and professional fulfillment. Teaching has been a cornerstone of my life; I taught Graphic and Web Design in high school and college, and my students won awards at Ocean City High School. I also built programs for students to collaborate with local businesses on web design and branding projects. One of my favorite projects was guiding students to create a mural using Adobe Illustrator designs, which was then turned into a mosaic that still exists at the school. I hope to return to teaching one day, perhaps through night school design courses.

Outside of work, I focus on personal growth and creativity. I love working out, listening to music, traveling, exploring AI, cooking, and making fall soups. One of my long-term dreams is to open a soup kitchen to combine my love for food and community service.