About Ally Dalsimer
Ally Dalsimer is an award-winning author, experienced life coach, and certified facilitator. She’s also a mom, a one-time political candidate, and public policy expert who spent her early 20s waitressing and bartending.
Ally began her professional career as a project assistant at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and worked her way up to serve as the Defense Department’s Natural Resources Program Manager, where she was responsible for management, oversight, and advocacy for the Department’s 25 million acres of land.
During her 30-year environmental career, Ally authored or co-authored more than 50 articles, technical reports, proceedings, book chapters, and brochures; co-founded and managed multiple conservation efforts; and, earned numerous awards across multiple disciplines.
Ally earned a Master’s in Public Policy, Environmental Law and Economics Track from Georgetown University, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Richmond with degrees in English and Psychology.
Ally is a member of ALLi, SCBWI, TWS, and AAUW. She’s the proud
mom of two amazing kids and a chubby rescue cat named Pooma.
Recent Years
In 2022, Ally found herself alone for the first time in decades. Her husband and mother had passed, and her kids were out of the house. In response, Ally had to re-find her happiness and sense of purpose. This experience formed the basis for her first "FABULOUS" book.
“It’s Okay Not To Be Fabulous Every Day” began as life advice to my kids, but morphed into a vehicle for me to cope with my own loneliness and heartbreak. In sharing my personal journey, I hope you will find the inspiration you need to navigate life’s inflection points and achieve your dreams.
My goal is to ignite your motivation and inspire your positivity so you can maximize your personal potential.”
In 2021-2022, Ally ran for Congress to represent Virigina’s 11th District.
“My decision to run for public office was driven by a desire to make a positive change in people’s lives, and to help right societal wrongs. Although I did not win, my campaign developed a number of key resources and reference pages (https://AllyForCongress.org), and pushed the incumbent to sign on to legislation he had previously declined to support. In that way, the campaign was successful, so I have no regrets.”
Fun Facts & Career Highlights
- Ally spent the first five years of her life in equatorial Africa.
- Ally competed in synchronized swimming in college.
- Ally served on the Obama Whitehouse Climate Task Force.
- Ally helped found the National and DoD Partners in Flight (PIF), National and DoD Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), national and DoD International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD), and North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC).
- One of the many awards Ally won was the Vice Presidential “Hammer Award” for involving DoD in National Public Lands Day.
