Allison Ralph, PhD's Avatar

Allison Ralph, PhD

@akralph

Principal @ Cohesion Strategy |Sings joyfully-Bakes for friends. Religious Pluralism | Depolarization

96
Followers
269
Following
85
Posts
26.01.2025
Joined
Posts Following

Latest posts by Allison Ralph, PhD @akralph

With Michelle Gerrard, Karissa Raskin, and Kristina Kastler, it will be another great opportunity to practice connecting and collaborating across differences. We’ll explore the differences - and complementarities - between attitude and behavior change approaches to evaluating bridgebuilding work.

05.03.2026 02:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
 along with Michelle Gerrard, Karissa Raskin and Kristina Kastler, will be another great opportunity to practice connecting and collaborating across differences. We’ll explore the differences - and complementarities - between attitude and behavior change approaches to evaluating bridgebuilding work.

along with Michelle Gerrard, Karissa Raskin and Kristina Kastler, will be another great opportunity to practice connecting and collaborating across differences. We’ll explore the differences - and complementarities - between attitude and behavior change approaches to evaluating bridgebuilding work.

I’m excited to present at #BuildingTogether2026 in Seattle! Our session on β€œBridgebuilding Evaluation: Attitude, Behavior, or Both?” -- Register now to join us! cof.org/building-tog...

05.03.2026 01:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Staying in the Mess (feat. Allison Ralph) We talked to historian, thought leader, and delightful conversation partner, Dr. Allison Ralph, about social cohesion, the magic of murmuration, the messiness of true pluralism – and how God is more l...

My conversation on Hashcast is live.

We talk bridge-building, religious pluralism, and staying in the tension long enough to build real relationships across difference.

Listen here: subsplash.com/u/anamcara/m...

#BridgeBuilding #InterfaithDialogue

24.02.2026 22:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Adam Phillips is up against a tough task: Making room for all faiths in America "We're a nation of many faiths," says Adam Phillips, CEO of Interfaith America.

I truly believe we are an Interfaith America at 250. Maybe because I’ve seen firsthand how faith, belonging and bridgebuilding can come together for the greater good.

It was nice to sit down with @deseret.com.web.brid.gy and share a little bit about my own story.

www.deseret.com/faith/2026/0...

22.02.2026 15:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image Post image

πŸ“’ We’re hiring a Senior Associate, Research & Communications (PT, Remote, Contract) at Cohesion Strategy!
Work closely with Founder Allison Ralph at the intersection of research, communications, and pluralism-focused consulting.
πŸ“„ Full details in the PDF. Apply: allison@cohesionstrategy.com

22.02.2026 21:21 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Bridgebuilding Effectiveness In my travels across pluralistic spaces lately, I’ve heard more angst than ever about how to figure out whether bridging works.

Does bridging actually work? Yes... if done right. See the 3-part series with Michelle Garred here
open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...
#Bridging #Evaluation

19.02.2026 02:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

At Cohesion Strategy, we help groups practice that second kindβ€”cohesion as a skill, not a slogan.

Cohesion isn’t inevitable. It’s buildable.

#SocialCohesion #Pluralism #CommunityCare #ExpandWhatsPossible

04.02.2026 13:10 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Cohesion in Practice: Lessons from Minneapolis By: Allison Ralph

β€œSocial cohesion” can mean two very different things.

One version shrinks the circle to feel safe.
Another shows up when diverse communities move together under pressure.

Minneapolis is showing us the difference right now.

Read this week’s blog: open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...

04.02.2026 13:10 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

On my way to the Global Faith Forum to be with some of my favorite people. Maybe see y’all there.

03.02.2026 18:20 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
A Fond Farewell (and a Note of Gratitude) By: Nevia Selmon

A fond farewell to Nevia Selmon as she concludes her time with Cohesion Strategy πŸ’™

We’re grateful for her contributions to our research, communications, and values-driven work.

Nevia reflects on her time with usβ€”and what she’s carrying forwardβ€”in a new blog:
πŸ‘‰ open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...

09.01.2026 20:23 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Cohesion Strategy | consulting on pluralism and belonging Cohesion Strategy LLC partners with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations working toward religious pluralism and social cohesion. Our consulting services include strategy development, facilitation...

www.cohesionstrategy.com

07.01.2026 21:40 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Big Tent and The Open Sky By: Allison Ralph

The β€œbig tent” isn’t just a tentβ€”it’s a flock in motion.
Scott Warren reminds us why we gather.
Julia Roig shows us how to fly together.
Cohesion isn’t sameness.
It’s synchronized difference.
And you don’t have to be birds of a feather to flock together. πŸ•ŠοΈ

Blog: open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...

06.01.2026 20:50 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

This season reminds us that connection doesn’t require sameness β€” only care.

Wishing you rest, warmth, and moments of real belonging, however you mark this time of year.

Happy holidays from Cohesion Strategy. ✨

19.12.2025 14:55 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Today, we join our fellow @listenfirstproject.bsky.social coalition members in celebrating #NationalUnityDay.
Unity begins with listening β€” with curiosity, respect, and connection. πŸ’œ

πŸ”— cohesionstrategy.com
#CohesionInAction #LeadWithClarity #MurmurationMindset #NationalUnityDay

13.12.2025 23:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Learning Communities | Stories Change Power

Shoutout to Stories Change Power!
Registration is open for their 2026 advocacy + storytelling courses β€” from Storytelling 101 to Ethical Storytelling to their Advocacy Learning Communities (online + in DC).
www.storieschangepower.org/programming/...
AND
www.storieschangepower.org/programming/...

11.12.2025 20:40 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image

Fun fact: Half of Allison’s Spotify Wrapped this year was bird-themed.
(Truly on brand.)
So we’re building a Murmuration Playlist for people who work across difference, conflict, and complexity.
What song fuels YOUR work?
Add it below. ⬇️

10.12.2025 21:42 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Reflections from the Annual Academy of Religion Conference: Insights for Building Ethical, Pluralistic Communities By: Nevia Selmon

Our Senior Associate, Nevia Selmon, presented at the Annual Academy of Religion conference. Her reflections point to what pluralism requires today: shared inquiry, proximity, care networks, and civic attentiveness.

Read her blog: open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...

#AAR2025 #philanthropy #nonprofit

03.12.2025 15:18 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image Post image Post image Post image

Tolerating Disagreement β€” a quick primer on holding difference with integrity in nonprofit work.
If that resonates, join us Dec 4 (10–1 ET) for Leading When Values Collide, a virtual working session on navigating values tensions in leadership. cohesionstrategy.com
#nonprofitleadership #philanthropy

01.12.2025 21:44 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
New Conversation on Navigating Values Collisions Hi everyone β€” Nevia Selmon here, Senior Associate at Cohesion Strategy. I recently sat down with our Principal, Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D., for an… | Coh... New Conversation on Navigating Values Collisions Hi everyone β€” Nevia Selmon here, Senior Associate at Cohesion Strategy. I recently sat down with our Principal, Allison K. Ralph, Ph.D., for an import...

Had a great conversation with my colleague Nevia about why I created our Values Collide Workshop.

The tension isn’t something to avoid. It’s a doorway to deeper alignment.
Let's #ExpandWhatsPossible.

Watch here: www.linkedin.com/posts/cohesi...

21.11.2025 15:44 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Big update: We’ve refreshed our site at Cohesion Strategy with a new case study on navigating value tensions, free research-based primers for nonprofit leaders, and a clearer way to access my publications on pluralism and integrity.

Explore the new resources β†’ www.cohesionstrategy.com/about-3

19.11.2025 16:23 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

We’re proud to share that NevΓ­a Selmon will present her paper β€œRower as Witness: Levinas, Ricoeur, and the Human Condition in Motion” at AAR 2025.

πŸ“ Marriott Copley Place, Provincetown
πŸ“… Nov 22, 2025
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
Her work bridges embodiment, ethics, and relational leadership!

17.11.2025 21:12 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Cohesion Strategy | Substack A Substack about navigating difference, building belonging, and strengthening democracy from the ground up. Click to read Cohesion Strategy, a Substack publication. Launched 6 months ago.

Hope is a practice.
Our Q3 newsletter shares how we’re building frameworks that can hold difference β€” not dissolve it.
Read it here: cohesionstrategy.com/so/06PfEvenl...
Subscribe β†’ cohesionstrategy.substack.com

12.11.2025 17:55 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Get Sh*t Done (For Real): Pluralism with Teeth By: Allison Ralph

No more purity tests.
We need the skills to bridge and act.

That’s pluralism with teeth β€” and it’s how we get sh*t done.

Join @CohesionStrategy’s upcoming Leading When Values Collide sessions for real tools to lead across difference.

Read blog here: open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...
#Pluralism

05.11.2025 15:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Careers

Intern with Interfaith Alliance! We have three positions available for Spring 2026 (January 26 - May 15):

βšͺ Organizing
βšͺ Policy
βšͺ Digital Fundraising & Mobilization

Applications are due by November 14.

04.11.2025 22:03 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸŽƒ Feeling haunted by organizational tensions? πŸ‘»
That’s not a curse, it’s a call to lead.
πŸ•ΈοΈ Join me Dec 4 for Leading When Values Collide β€” a virtual workshop for nonprofit & philanthropic leaders ready to face their values ghosts head-on.
πŸ‘‰ Register here
#Leadership #Halloween

31.10.2025 16:33 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Day 1 at #IS2025 was energizing πŸ’‘

From the State of the Charitable Sector to sessions on trust, belonging & purpose β€” powerful reminders of how data, story, faith & leadership all build civic strength.

#IndependentSector #Philanthropy #Trust #Belonging

28.10.2025 20:05 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Heading to Atlanta for the Independent Sector Summit Tues–Wed! Excited to learn, connect & be inspired by so many working to strengthen our communities. If you’ll be there too, let’s connect to talk about deepening engagement & amplifying trusted voices for greater impact.

27.10.2025 22:59 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

Ran into Vinay Orekondy this morning at New America’s Everyday Democracy eventβ€”such a treat. Vinay wears many hats in the civic-renewal world, including co-chairing the Braver Network at Braver Angels and co-founding Better Together America. Keep building trust & belonging!

#EverydayDemocracy

24.10.2025 19:14 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

In a time of tension & change, Allison K. Ralph helps leaders slow down, see what’s really happening, and move forward with courage & clarity. Trust, truth & transformation β€” all in one room. #philanthropy #retreat
Check out our website to learn more, stay in the loop, or register: lnkd.in/eFe8nxk9

24.10.2025 11:51 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Finding Gezellig in a Fractured World By: Nevia Selmon

Atonement. Dialogue. Shelter.
From a Humanist Yom Kippur to a muslim peacebuilding conference to a Sukkot dinner β€” @Nevia finds gezellig in the spaces where people stay in relationship across difference.
Read on β†’ open.substack.com/pub/cohesion...

22.10.2025 15:48 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0