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“I try to be authentic, direct and transparent with my team and others,” she says. “But I also strive to lead with empathy, and to recognize people in the moment for their efforts.”
Drawing on this open and collaborative approach, Alyson successfully led a team through the tax workstream for a transformative business transaction — the 2023 separation of Johnson & Johnson’s consumer health business. This transaction, one of the largest split-offs to occur in the US, required significant effort from Alyson and her team to redesign the company’s tax organization, quickly define and deliver her vision for Johnson & Johnson tax, and transparently lead her team to embrace a bold vision for the future.
Growing up in southern New Jersey, Alyson followed in the footsteps of two generations of CPAs, majoring in accounting at Georgetown University and earning a CPA license. Gravitating to research and creative pursuits, she quickly realized that the traditional public accounting role wasn’t for her. This path led Alyson to law school, where she studied tax law.
Following law school, she explored international tax and tax controversy at Dewey Ballantine LLP, and as she expanded her tax and legal skill sets, she further enhanced her expertise by pursuing M&A tax law — a field she was once hesitant to explore because of its perceived demands. That willingness to open her mind to this new career path was instrumental in her long-term success.
“When I finally did say ‘yes’ to pursuing M&A tax law, I embarked on an incredible journey that paved the way for my Johnson & Johnson career,” she recalls.
While Alyson had a very linear career as a CPA and tax lawyer, her leadership skills and impact meant she was often tapped for opportunities before she thought she was ready for them.
Looking back on the journey that led her to where she is today, Alyson shares three key lessons learned.
Be authentically you
Before finding her footing as a leader, Alyson sometimes moderated her most ambitious dreams. She didn’t follow her heart to study abroad during college, despite a love for her ancestral Italy, or seek an international work assignment early in her career. She took a more practical route in college, with early graduation, and wasn’t always authentic early on in her career.
"I held back on my authentic self quite a bit, based on feedback that I was ‘too direct,’ which I now regret,” she recalls.
To young professionals hearing similar critiques, Alyson advises that they keep an open mind but not force themselves to change. Today, she draws on her authenticity and direct communication style to be an effective leader.
“You don’t want to lose what makes you who you are or what you bring to the table,” she says. “How much you dial that up or down within the context of each situation is what matters. Figuring out how to do it in the right ways is part of the leadership growth journey.”
Alyson advises that future leaders “do it your own way,” speaking to the importance of her authentic leadership style and being true to herself as a leader.