Alison Gardiner

Originally from St. Charles, Illinois, Alison Gardiner completed her undergraduate studies in Biblical Exposition and Theology at Emmaus and received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is married to Austin, and they have three kids—A.J., Wells, and Anabella.

With a passion for people, Alison loves spending time with her family and collaborating with others to make a difference in her community. Outside of her work at Parkview, she enjoys crafts and working creatively with her hands.

As the Director of Parkview Collective, she leads The Collective—Parkview’s community engagement efforts focused on schools, families, and the broader Villa Park neighborhood. She’s passionate about creating spaces of belonging, supporting Spanish-speaking families, and building partnerships that meet real needs in the community. Alison spends her days investing in people and connecting caring adults with kids for individualized mentoring and academic support. She desires to use encouragement and care to help kids realize and reach their fullest potential.