Alison Alden became the Vice President for Human Resources at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in January 2007. Alison joined MIT from Manulife Financial, the second largest life insurance company in North America.
Alison was the senior vice president for human resources at John Hancock from 2004 until 2007 and the vice president for human resources and corporate communications from 2001 until 2004. During that time, she led the successful integration of all HR programs, policies, and organizations as a result of the acquisition of John Hancock in 2004.
Prior to joining Manulife Financial, Alison spent ten years at NStar and its predecessor, Boston Edison, where she was vice president for marketing, sales and customer service, and later served as senior vice president of human resources. She was the first woman in the company's history to serve as an officer.
From 1989 to 1990 Alison was the vice president for human resource development at Bank of New England. From 1983 until 1989 she was the divisional vice president for organizational development, training and communications at Filene's. She began her career as a consultant on leadership development to Fortune 500 companies and the US Navy.
Alison earned her bachelor's degree at St. Olaf College in 1970, and an MEd at American University. She holds an EdD from Harvard University and also studied business at the University of Michigan.
In 1996, Alison received the Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award for Emerging Executives and, in 1994, the Department of Defense Military Tour for Business Leaders Award.
Alison currently serves on the board of Shawmut Construction as a director. Since 2003, she has also served as inside director on the boards of ManUSA and Manulife New York. From 1996 until 2003, Alison served on the board of the Greater Boston YMCA as vice chair.
When she joined MIT, Alison said, "MIT is not only one of the world's great educational institutions, it is also recognized as a superb place to work. I look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues in Human Resources and across the Institute to provide the innovative services and programs that a diverse, forward-looking organization needs in an era of rapid change in the workplace."