Allison McDonald Vershaw ’98 MA ’01
Upon graduating from Bradley, Allison McDonald Vershaw ’98 MA ‘01 began not only her career, but also became a leader in the community. She has held leadership roles though volunteer organizations and Bradley University. Recently, she earned three prestigious awards for her outstanding leadership and service.
As Vershaw was growing up, she encountered many volunteers who didn’t expect anything in return. It was their passion that brought them to make a difference. In a recent interview, Vershaw said, “I have decided to be involved in a variety of organizations as a way to “give back” to the community. There are so many opportunities for people of all ages to get involved and make a difference. If everyone could allocate one hour per month to join an organization, the community would be a much better place for generations to come.”
This year, Allison McDonald Vershaw was honored with three prestigious leadership awards. The first is “Women in Leadership ‘Woman of the Year’” Award. This award is granted to an individual who is outstanding in her business profession, community service, and in her leadership participation as a WIL member. She is also the 2007 recipient of the “WEEK 25 Women in Leadership” Award, designed to recognize women of all ages who have demonstrated unswerving dedication to the betterment of themselves, their family, company, and community. Her most recent award is the “40 Leaders Under 40”, which is presented to those individuals under the age of 40 who aptly demonstrate successful leadership qualities and accomplishments in the greater Peoria Area.
Vershaw is a visible community member who is constantly looking to serve and give back to her community, workplace and Bradley University. She is the president of the Central Illinois Bradley Alumni Chapter (CIBAC), where she and other alumni volunteers work to provide various events for Bradley alumni, helping them reconnect to each other and the university. She is an active member of Women in Leadership, in which she has held various office positions and is currently the President Elect Presumptive and VP Public Relations. If you were at the Taste of Peoria, you may have seen her there with PACE (Peoria Area Community Events). Vershaw is an active member in a variety of other organizations including: Morton Chamber of Commerce Pumpkin Festival, Pi Beta Phi House Corp and Alumni Club, YWCA Marketing Committee and the Peoria Zoo membership and special events committees.
Deciding to attend Bradley was a result of family ties to the university. Her father graduated from Bradley as a baseball letterman, her mother was working in the athletics department while pursuing her degree and her brother was a Bradley student. She earned her undergraduate degree in Communications Public Relations and a Masters Degree in Human Services Administration. Currently, she works as the Director of Administrative Services at Premier Healthcare where she directs human resources, accounting, corporate safety and customer service. She began her career there in 2004 as the Director of Marketing, where she developed their first marketing plan. She was promoted in 2006 to the Director of Administrative Services. Her advice to graduating seniors is: “Have a well-prepared resume, don’t get discouraged, get involved and believe in yourself.”
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