Allyson Downey

Allyson Downey Allyson has a premium accountClick to upgrade to Premium CEO of Stellar Reviews, expert on consumer shopping behavior, author of Here's the Plan, and keynote speaker. Boulder, Colorado 500+ connections Contact info Columbia University - Columbia Business School About Allyson Downey is an entrepreneur, MBA, writer, and keynote speaker who has built a career on the power of trusted advice. She is the CEO of Stellar, which helps brands increase sales by 40% by building an authentic, honest base of consumer reviews for their product launches. In 2013, she launched weeSpring, a Techstars-backed startup that helps new and expecting parents collect advice from their friends about what they need for their baby. weeSpring has received accolades from TechCrunch, Mashable, CNBC, and the Daily Mail, and it was heralded as “Yelp for baby products” by InStyle magazine. She is also the author of Here's the Plan: Your Practical, Tactical Guide to Advancing Your Career During Pregnancy and Parenthood, the pregnancy and parenting guide to your professional life. Her writing has been featured in The Atlantic, Time, Fortune, Fast Company, the Wall Street Journal, and others, and she has appeared on ABC World News Now, Power Pitch on CNBC, and other outlets. Allyson has an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MFA from Columbia University's School of the Arts, and a BA from Colby College. https://stellarreviews.com http://www.allysondowney.com http://www.herestheplanbook.com Twitter: @allysondowney / @wee_spring Instagram: @allysondowney / @weespring Experience Stellar Reviews CEO Company NameStellar Reviews Dates EmployedOct 2014 – Present Employment Duration6 yrs LocationBoulder, CO We believe that authentic consumer reviews are the most efficient, effective way for brands to build trust with consumers. Stellar sources reviewers who have an intrinsic desire to share honest feedback, and then we use a data-driven approach to match people with products they'll love. We then place the reviews on the retailers sites where they'll make the most impact for our clients, which include CPGs like DanoneWave, Philips, Newell, Honest, and more. Tot Squad Board Member Company NameTot Squad Dates EmployedApr 2020 – Present Employment Duration6 mos Trust & Will Advisor Company NameTrust & Will Dates EmployedJun 2018 – Present Employment Duration2 yrs 4 mos Techstars Mentor - Techstars Anywhere Company NameTechstars Dates EmployedFeb 2017 – Present Employment Duration3 yrs 8 mos Hachette Book Group Author - Here's the Plan: Your Practical Tactical Guide to Advancing Your Career During Pregnancy Company NameHachette Book Group Dates EmployedMar 2015 – Present Employment Duration5 yrs 7 mos For many women in their 20's and 30's, the greatest professional hurdle they'll need to overcome has little to do with their work life. The most focused, confident, and ambitious women can find themselves derailed by a tiny little thing: a new baby. Here's the Plan offers an inspiring roadmap for working mothers steering their careers through the parenting years. Author Allyson Downey—founder of weeSpring, the “Yelp for baby products,” and mother of two young children—advises readers on all practical aspects of ladder-climbing while parenting, such as negotiating leave, flex time, and promotions. For more information, visit www.herestheplanbook.com. … see more weeSpring, Inc. CEO and founder Company NameweeSpring, Inc. Dates Employed2012 – Present Employment Duration8 yrs LocationBoulder, Colorado, United States weeSpring connects parents to the products their friends are recommending. Since launching in January 2013, weeSpring has quickly become the go-to resource for parents seeking trusted recommendations on what to buy for their family, from strollers and pacifiers to sippy cups and scooters — and beyond. Hailed by InStyle Magazine and CNBC as "Yelp for baby products," weeSpring is changing the way people prepare for parenthood. … see more No alt text provided for this image No alt text provided for this image No alt text provided for this image No alt text provided for this image No alt text provided for this image New Leaders Executive Director Company NameNew Leaders Dates EmployedNov 2011 – Mar 2013 Employment Duration1 yr 5 mos LocationNew York, NY Built a national pipeline of individual funders, growing individual fundraising by 83% for FY2012. Conceptualized and rolled-out a national leadership award to 500+ principals to re-engage the New Leaders community, receiving grant applications from 20% of alumni. Launched New Leaders’ first grassroots fundraising campaign to raise brand awareness, resulting in more than 350 new contributors during a month-long campaign (a 1150% increase over previous year). … see more Credit Suisse Private Banking Company NameCredit Suisse Dates EmployedJul 2010 – Nov 2011 Employment Duration1 yr 5 mos Solicited and developed client relationships across industries and geographies, targeting high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals. Advised entrepreneurs, top executives, and wealthy families on investment strategy, providing comprehensive solutions ranging from asset allocation to estate planning, including tax-advantaged philanthropic vehicles such as family foundations, donor-advised funds, and charitable trusts. … see more Spitzer 2010 Managing Director Company NameSpitzer 2010 Dates EmployedJan 2007 – Mar 2008 Employment Duration1 yr 3 mos Led a full-time staff of six and a team of five consultants. Managed all aspects and functions of a political organization, including compliance, strategic planning, budgeting, and financial projections. Formulated and executed a fundraising and communications strategy to broaden our target base and educate supporters about current political and governmental initiatives. Raised more than $8 million for Democratic causes in 2007, exceeding targets by 30%. Developed and launched an interactive website. Conceptualized a brand, identified a target audience, and created innovative tools to build an active community of online supporters. … see more Inauguration 2007 Inaugural Director Company NameInauguration 2007 Dates EmployedNov 2006 – Jan 2007 Employment Duration3 mos LocationAlbany, New York Area Directed a functionally-diverse team of more than twenty people to produce a public “people’s inauguration” for 10,000 people in less than eight weeks. Produced an on-budget series of events including an outdoor inauguration ceremony, a Taste of New York food festival, and a rock concert with James Taylor, Natalie Merchant, and Jimmy Fallon. … see more Spitzer 2006 Finance Director Company NameSpitzer 2006 Dates EmployedNov 2004 – Dec 2006 Employment Duration2 yrs 2 mos Analyzed historical campaign finance data to identify and target new fundraising constituencies from across New York State and developed an outreach plan to cultivate these individuals. Established a statewide coalition of business leaders, building an infrastructure for an Upstate, Hudson Valley, and Long Island fund-raising apparatus that raised more than $5 million. Spearheaded a Women for Spitzer grassroots organization that engaged thousands of women who collectively raised more than $1 million. … see more Samara Barend for Congress Finance Director Company NameSamara Barend for Congress Dates EmployedJun 2004 – Nov 2004 Employment Duration6 mos Random House Editorial Assistant Company NameRandom House Dates EmployedApr 2003 – Jun 2004 Employment Duration1 yr 3 mos Show fewer experiences Education Columbia University - Columbia Business School Columbia University - Columbia Business School Degree NameMBA Dates attended or expected graduation2009 – 2010 Columbia University in the City of New York Columbia University in the City of New York Degree NameMFAField Of StudyWriting Dates attended or expected graduation2001 – 2003 Colby College Colby College Degree NameBachelor of Arts (BA)Field Of StudyEnglish Dates attended or expected graduation1997 – 2001 Volunteer Experience Democracy Prep Public Schools Board Member Company NameDemocracy Prep Public Schools Dates volunteeredJan 2012 – May 2019 Volunteer duration7 yrs 5 mos CauseEducation