Allyson Cobb is a strategic partnerships and community engagement leader dedicated to advancing equitable economic growth, workforce innovation, and purpose-driven collaboration. Originally from San Francisco with deep familial roots in Durham, North Carolina, Allyson currently serves as Director of External Partnerships in the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development at North Carolina A&T State University, where she works at the intersection of higher education, research, industry engagement, and emerging technologies.
Prior to joining North Carolina A&T, Allyson served as Director of Community Engagement & Learning at United Way of the Greater Triangle. In this role, she cultivated transformative partnerships among nonprofits, government agencies, corporations, and community stakeholders to advance equitable outcomes throughout the region. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to systems change, civic engagement, and inclusive community development.
As a Fellow of the Aspen Institute Greater Workforce Leadership Academy, Allyson collaborated with regional leaders to strengthen workforce ecosystems and advance cross-sector innovation. She is a 2022 Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a Leadership Triangle Goodmon Fellow, recognized for her leadership and impact across the Triangle region.
Allyson has served as a Board Member with the ACLU of North Carolina, Co-Chairperson of the Durham Minority Economic Development Institute Council through the National Institute of Minority Economic Development, where she supports minority- and woman-owned businesses and champions opportunities for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Currently, she serves as Vice President of WomenNC, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing gender equity through leadership, advocacy, and research, the Board of Directors for the Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee, helping to promote community engagement, youth leadership, and social justice initiatives across the region. Most recently, she joined the Board of Directors for Meals on Wheels Durham, further expanding her commitment to community service and improving quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Allyson earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from North Carolina A&T State University and Executive Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Learning and Leadership at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Inspired by the legacy of Coretta Scott King, Allyson believes deeply in the power of collaboration, service, and intentional leadership to build stronger, more inclusive communities.