Alison Faris has always called Tallahassee home.
“I love Tallahassee, and I have never had a desire to live anywhere else,” she says with pride. “My family is here, I grew up knowing that I would go to college and raise a family here. I have always been surrounded by good, supportive people. Why would I go anywhere else?”
Monesia Brown:25 Women for 2022: Passion for education leads Monesia Brown to support students
Katie Britt Williams:25 Women for 2022: From science to Junior League, Katie Britt Williams spreads enthusiasm
Anitra Thomas:25 Women for 2022: No matter the field, Anitra Thomas takes the lead in helping roles
Her hospitable nature and professional contributions are part of the fabric of our community, and as such she has been named one of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know.
Faris earned a degree in Marketing from Florida State University and has built a career spanning from banking to nonprofits, focusing on relationships and creating effective communications plans to help organizations and people tell their story.
She has served the City of Tallahassee as the Director of Communications since 2016. “Whether I am planning a special event, marketing a new City program, or connecting residents with resources, I never lose sight of the impact my work has on the community,” she says.
Faris has always had an interest in marketing and public relations. “Every job I have had has helped prepare me for what I do now for the City of Tallahassee.” She was recently named the Communicator of the Year by the Florida Municipal Communicators Association.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the people who work in your industry. I work with an extremely talented team,” she says. “For others to recognize not only what we do, but how we do it means a great deal.”
Defying the challenges:Congratulations to Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know and 5 Young Women to Watch in 2022
Even in volunteering, she puts her PR skills to work. She looks for opportunities where she can have a positive influence on the lives of others in the community, and especially finds herself drawn to organizations that reflect her own lived experiences.
“I’ve always had an interest in helping children, and when I had my daughter and she was diagnosed with Down syndrome, that was life-changing,” she says.
“Through organizations like the Down Syndrome Association of Tallahassee and Keys to Exceptional Student Success (KEYS), I have been able to contribute in a way that improves the quality of life for so many. If you want to get something done, get a group of moms around the table. They’re unstoppable,” she said.
You may remember Faris from Tallahassee’s version of Dancing with the Stars in which she won awards for both fan favorite and the judges’ favorite, and subsequently served as both a judge and co-host in future events. “That was a ton of fun, definitely out of my comfort zone, but a lot of fun,” she said.
Her own battle with asthma inspired her to take on the challenge in support of the American Lung Association, and a life-saving heart surgery inspired her support of the American Heart Association. “My daughter was 4 months old when she had major heart surgery,” Faris said. “Being able to participate in the Heart Walk was important to me.”
You’ll experience the legacy of Faris’ work in our public libraries, where she has served with Friends of the Library. She is a history fan, and in her spare time enjoys reading historical fiction and non-fiction including works by local authors.
She feels a sense of community, and remembers the smiles on the faces of children, when recalling volunteering with the Junior League of Tallahassee to take kids shopping for school supplies. “I can still feel the hugs from those kids,” she says.
She strives to live out the legacy of the women in her family: her grandmother’s work ethic, her mother’s reminder that everything is worth her best effort, her sister’s creativity, and her twin daughters’ unique talents.
A roll call through history:About 385 Women You Need to Know: A complete history
“I am surrounded by pretty awesome people,” she says. “My husband, my father, my brother, my son… and many others. I’m blessed to have a strong support system.” She supports, as well, cheering on her son at the baseball field, reading with one twin daughter, and watching another perform in theater productions.
Upon meeting her, you may immediately feel that you are lifelong friends. That’s because Faris celebrates and welcomes all. She wants us to know that Tallahassee is here for you. “No matter the challenge,” she says with encouragement, “if you reach out, someone will be there for you.”
Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.
More Stories
Sunshine Coast police warn against shopping alone, as bag snatcher ‘stalks’ women getting fuel and groceries
Shop the just-released cross-training sneaker
Let’s make special considerations for pregnant women in public places