Dr. Alison Thompson

Dr. Alison Thompson is a full-time global humanitarian volunteer, widely recognized for her extensive commitment to crisis response and disaster relief. She began her journey as a first responder to the September 11th, 2001 attacks in New York City, where she volunteered for nine months and subsequently founded Third Wave Volunteers. This non-profit organization has grown into a network of over 30,000 volunteers who provide aid in disasters globally.

Thompson has managed internally displaced person (IDP) camps in countries such as Sri Lanka, Haiti, and Greece. Additionally, she was appointed the first official Ambassador to the Haitian Ministry of Environment in 2012, focusing on reforestation and sustainable energy projects. In 2010, she played a crucial role in managing a 75,000-person IDP camp and field hospital in Haiti following a devastating earthquake, where she co-founded We Advance, a clinic combating gender-based violence.

Her work extends to natural disaster responses, including her efforts in Sri Lanka post-tsunami in 2004, where she established the first Community Tsunami Early-warning Disaster Center and managed a field hospital. Her experiences in Sri Lanka were encapsulated in her documentary, "The Third Wave," which was presented at the Cannes Film Festival and followed by her book, "The Third Wave: A Volunteer Story."

More recently, Thompson has been active in crisis zones such as Lesvos, Greece, from 2015 to 2017 during the Syrian refugee crisis, where she aided in the rescue of refugees and provided essential supplies like solar lights. In 2017, she co-founded the first Community Emergency Operations Center in Miami to enhance local disaster response capabilities. In recognition of her lifelong service and impact, she received "The Presidential Lifetime Service Award" from President Biden in 2022.

Thompson continues to speak on topics such as corporate social responsibility and the importance of service, encouraging a broader understanding of the intersection between business and humanitarian aid. She has inspired many through her ability to connect deeply with her audiences, promoting active global citizenship and community involvement.

Her motto, "It is easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it's leadership to be in the right time at the wrong place," sums up her proactive approach to humanitarian service. As she continues her ventures, Thompson remains a powerful voice for humanity, advocating for those affected by crises and encouraging others to contribute to a more compassionate and responsive world.