Alison L. Schmidt Ph.D., BCC
Dr. Alison Schmidt is the Founder and CEO of Unconvention, a company that offers transformative executive coaching and organizational consulting. With over 20+ years of experience, she partners with elite leaders to foster strategic growth, drive actionable change, and gain freedom from the stubborn quo.
She has built successful companies focused on global partnerships and lasting client relationships with entrepreneurs/founders, CxO executives, and premier leaders across various industries. Alison is also the creator and host of (un)conversations®, an unfiltered and unscripted podcast featuring CxO’s and industry pioneers who share bold, unconventional decisions that have sculpted their lives and businesses. Through candid and vulnerable conversations, these trailblazers inspire others to revolutionize traditional norms, overcome adversity, and embrace untapped perspectives while propelling a movement of shared purpose.​
About Alison
Clients have described Alison as an enthusiastic problem solver and solution-oriented expert who is dependable, attentive, and adept at challenging and reshaping their thinking. “I support my clients throughout every stage of the process,” she explains, “from developing or refining a vision, to organization strategy, to coaching global boards, entrepreneurs/founders, CxO executives, and next-level leaders. I’m fully committed to their success by activating the untapped power of people, systems, and culture."
Alison’s atypical career path was born out of her combined passion for people and business from an early age. This passion also inspired her to become a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University in Alhambra, California; a Board-certified coach with specialties covering executive/corporate leadership, personal/life, health/wellness, and career coaching from CCE Global; and a certified training facilitator through Development Dimensions International.
Alison actively uses her voice, time, and strategies to spotlight inequity and drive real change. She’s a firm believer that companies don’t just benefit—but thrive—when they invest in a truly diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture. For Alison, DEI isn’t a buzzword—it’s a commitment backed by action. She’s served on boards and within organizations that amplify marginalized voices and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and other underserved groups—pushing beyond performative gestures to help build cultures that actually reflect the world we live in.
Her commitment runs deep—not just to her clients’ success, but to building inclusive cultures where diversity and difference become undeniable assets.
Alison lives in Dallas, Texas, with her wife Norma. They enjoy taking road trips to different Texas cities or flying to more far-flung (often international) destinations. She explains, “Being exposed to different people and cultures (and food!) keeps my mind open and eclectic and provides me with meaningful, enriching and learning experiences—which, in turn, nourishes me professionally and allows me to enrich my private and professional spheres to better serve my clients.”