I had the privilege of getting to know Allyson at the Why Christian? conference in Minneapolis last year, and she is one of the kindest, wisest people I’ve ever met. And with a background as an Army officer and Baptist pastor, with degrees in both physics and theology, she’s also one of the most interesting!

Allyson is believed to be the first openly transgender person ever to be ordained by a Baptist church. She recently served as transitional pastor of Washington, D.C.’s Calvary Baptist Church, a congregation that has served the nation’s capital for over 150 years. Allyson is the founder and principal of Warrior Poet Strategies, a D.C. based consulting firm advising clients in organizational design, diversity and inclusion, and social and civic entrepreneurship. Previously, she led diversity initiatives at the Human Rights Campaign and was the first transgender person to lead a national LGBT organization as exective director of OutServe-SLDN. Allyson has degrees from West Point, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Arizona State, and Oxford University. She’s been married to Danyelle for more than 20 years, and the two have four children.

Also, this lady can preach! Allyson is one of my favorite speakers, not only on topics related to gender and sexuality, but also on topics related to science, faith, doubt, and bridge-building. Be sure to check out these talks…

At TEDx Nightingale:

