ALLISON HASSETT WOHL
Bethesda,MD
Summary
Senior leader in government and public affairs with expertise in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. Provides strategic counsel on agency priorities, oversees external affairs, and coordinates high-impact initiatives. Recognized for translating complex policy issues into actionable strategies that foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Staff | Executive and External Affairs
Maryland Department of Health – Developmental Disabilities Administration
Baltimore, MD
08.2025 - Current
- Serve as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary and provide strategic counsel on agency priorities, policy initiatives, executive issues, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional operations.
- Leading the Office of External Affairs, overseeing strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, legislative affairs, and intergovernmental affairs.
- Advise executive leadership on complex policy and service-delivery issues, preparing executive briefings and coordinating organizational responses.
- Coordinated high-priority initiatives across DDA and state agencies, translating executive priorities into actionable strategies and work plans for successful implementation.
- Led development of external-affairs capacity, establishing organizational structure, staffing, workflows, and enhancing coordination across communications, legislative, and constituent-service functions.
- Built and strengthened relationships with legislators, government partners, advocates, providers, and families, enhancing collaboration and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Public Affairs Specialist
Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Washington, DC
03.2023 - 07.2025
- Developed executive communications, reports, blogs, web content, social media, budget narratives, and external communications to clarify complex federal policy and program initiatives for diverse audiences.
- Ghostwrote communications for ACL leadership, translating executive priorities and policy issues into clear, accessible public communications.
- Advised program offices on communications strategy and stakeholder messaging, strengthening outreach on aging, disability, caregiving, health and human services, and federal policy.
- Managed communications projects and products for Administration on Disabilities, Administration on Aging, and National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, enhancing awareness and engagement.
- Planned and executed internal and external special events and cross-program initiatives involving senior leaders, federal partners, and stakeholders.
Project Delivery Manager
Deloitte Consulting
Washington, DC
12.2019 - 02.2023
- Led client-facing project delivery, managing complex initiatives with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to align priorities and achieve project goals.
- Applied program management and strategic planning to enhance process improvement and stakeholder engagement in public-sector consulting.
- Led project teams to deliver client-focused solutions effectively.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment on project objectives.
- Developed project plans to guide execution and monitor progress consistently.
Principal Consultant
Wohl Consulting, LLC
Bethesda, MD
09.2017 - 12.2019
- Consulted with mission-driven organizations on public policy and nonprofit management, enhancing strategy, organizational effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and program priorities.
- Led strategy development for client projects across various industries.
- Facilitated workshops to align client goals with operational capabilities.
- Analyzed market trends to inform client decision-making processes.
Executive Director
APSE – Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst
Washington, DC
01.2015 - 09.2017
- Led national nonprofit membership organization to enhance integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Provided strategic leadership in operations, external relationships, member engagement, and public policy to drive organizational success.
- Represented organization with government, advocacy, disability, and employment stakeholders to promote national mission and priorities.
Executive Director
Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD)
Washington, DC
09.2011 - 12.2014
- Led national coalition for self-determination for people with disabilities, coordinating strategy, building stakeholder relationships, and prioritizing policies to enhance advocacy impact.
- Collaborated with disability advocates, organizations, and government stakeholders to advance policy and systems-change initiatives, driving collective efforts towards inclusive outcomes.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to develop inclusive employment policies and practices.
- Directed training programs to empower organizations supporting employment-first principles.
Manager
Deloitte Consulting
Washington, DC
05.2009 - 04.2010
- Led consulting projects focused on client engagement, project delivery, analysis, and cross-functional coordination.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop innovative consulting solutions.
- Collaborated with clients to identify business needs and strategic goals.
- Managed project timelines and deliverables to ensure timely execution.
Manager
BearingPoint, Inc.
12.2003 - 04.2010
- Managed consulting engagements and teams to align with client priorities and facilitate program delivery and organizational initiatives.
- Led project teams to develop innovative solutions for client challenges.
- Facilitated workshops to gather requirements and define project scopes.
- Managed stakeholder relationships to ensure alignment and satisfaction.
Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP)
GE
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Completed GE's Human Resources Leadership Program, gaining experience in human resources management and organizational leadership.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
Staffing Manager
CTG
04.1997 - 07.2000
- Coordinated staffing activities and client relationships to align recruiting efforts with workforce needs.
- Managed staffing operations for diverse client projects in technology sectors.
- Developed recruitment strategies to attract qualified candidates for various roles.
- Collaborated with hiring managers to identify workforce needs and skill requirements.
Education
MBA -
The Mason School of Business, William & Mary
Williamsburg05-2002
BA - History
Binghamton University
05-1995
Skills
- Executive Advising & Strategy
- External Affairs
- Government & Legislative Affairs
- Public Policy
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Communications
- Organizational Leadership
- Cross-Functional Operations
- Program & Project Management
- Nonprofit Management
- Disability Policy
- Health & Human Services
- Executive Leadership
- Government Relations
- Legislative Affairs
- Intergovernmental Affairs
- Policy Analysis
- Public Affairs
- Coalition Building
- Stakeholder Relations
- Organizational Development
- Change Management
- Program Management
- Nonprofit Leadership
- strategic communication
- public policy advocacy
- cross-functional collaboration
- relationship building
- executive briefings
- problem solving
- advisory skills
- Attention to detail
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Operational improvements
- Decision-making
Personal Information
Title: CHIEF OF STAFF | EXECUTIVE & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | GOVERNMENT & PUBLIC POLICY
Timeline
Chief of Staff | Executive and External Affairs
Maryland Department of Health – Developmental Disabilities Administration
08.2025 - Current
Public Affairs Specialist
Administration for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
03.2023 - 07.2025
Project Delivery Manager
Deloitte Consulting
12.2019 - 02.2023
Principal Consultant
Wohl Consulting, LLC
09.2017 - 12.2019
Executive Director
APSE – Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst
01.2015 - 09.2017
Executive Director
Collaboration to Promote Self-Determination (CPSD)
09.2011 - 12.2014
Manager
Deloitte Consulting
05.2009 - 04.2010
Manager
BearingPoint, Inc.
12.2003 - 04.2010
Human Resources Leadership Program (HRLP)
GE
01.2001 - 01.2003
Staffing Manager
CTG
04.1997 - 07.2000
MBA -
The Mason School of Business, William & Mary
BA - History
Binghamton University