Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Allison Hill of ‘Lolly the Left Out Lobster’ Is Helping To Change Our World
Rejection Is Also About Dodging a Bullet. I once interviewed for a role where the interviewer asked a question. When I didn’t give the exact ‘soldier’ answer he was looking for, he sighed heavily and said, “I’ll give you one more try to answer this question… with your MBA hat on, please.” What a pompous response. I held in my laughter, answered the same way as before, and, of course, didn’t get the job. Thank goodness. Can you imagine if I had to think the same way or approach a problem in a prescriptive manner? I dodged a bullet for a job I would have hated and, more importantly, a leadership style that would have suffocated me.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing author and DEI expert Allison Hill.
Allison Hill is not just a seasoned executive at a private equity firm leading social impact initiatives, including diversity, inclusion, and non-profit relationships; she’s a storyteller at heart and an advocate for making the world a kinder, more inclusive place.Her debut book, Lolly the Left Out Lobster, weaves an entertaining tale of kindness and belonging that inspires young readers to embrace diversity, compassion, and the power of community. She received her undergraduate degree and MBA from Cornell and has over 25 years of experience in brand marketing. During the pandemic lockdown in 2020, she and her daughters started their efforts to help deserving families with basic necessities related to food scarcity and kitchen supplies. This turned into the non-profit Eat Laugh Give in 2022. When she’s not giving back, you can find her cooking, reading, and laughing with her college sweetheart, two daughters, and two dogs.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
My childhood was filled with fun and adventure. My parents met during a summer holiday in Maine while they were in high school. My dad attended West Point for college, and they continued to date throughout his time there. Immediately after his graduation, they married and were stationed in Europe.
As a young girl, I cherished the nights when my parents would set up a slideshow with those old circular cartridges. I can still hear the click, click as the pictures moved and they shared their adventures with us. They set the tone for living life to the fullest, regardless of our economic level. They took their tent all over Europe, exploring and soaking in different cultures, proudly on $5 a day. My older brother and I were fortunate to travel globally from a young age, visiting places as far away as Asia. I remember one trip to Italy when a big pigeon pooped on my brother’s head. We were about 8 or 9 years old, and we had lots of laughs between the standard culture and monument visits. This instilled in me a love of family, adventure, and seeking external perspectives.
However, sometimes this felt at odds with our hometown in Palm Beach County, Florida. My dad was a successful entrepreneur, and my parents’ love of family extended his business to include a Northeast division. This meant we spent a lot of time in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. It was fascinating to observe the various subcultures between these regions, and I often felt that Florida was a little behind the times in terms of women’s rights and equality. Despite my love for my upbringing, I couldn’t wait to spread my wings and go far away for college. I ended up at the very liberal Cornell University, where I loved everything about it. I made lifelong friends, met my husband, and continued my journey of self-awareness and learning.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
I don’t have one specific story that inspired me, but I always had my nose in a book, thanks to my mom. She instituted an 8 p.m. bedtime in grade school, but we could earn extra time if we were reading. Of course, I took full advantage of staying up just a little bit later! Reading became a huge escape and a way to learn about issues and people who were different from me.
I adored Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret for its insights into the Jewish religion (my dad was Jewish, but I attended a Christian grade school). In my 20s, I fell in love with Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes, which gave me a profound understanding of true poverty and inspired me to seize every opportunity that came my way. One of these opportunities was finally pursuing my MBA after deferring it a few times. We have only one life to live, learn, and love, and I wanted to make the most of it. I also deeply enjoy biographies, from Michelle Obama to Sally Field. I love anything that offers an inside peek into the reality that life is not as glossy as it appears on the outside. Hardships exist in unlikely places. I refer to these hardships as the fuel to the fire — the driver to create better outcomes, success, and pioneers. It’s inspiring to read about others’ journeys and the challenges they have overcome.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I’ve made so many mistakes that it’s hard to pinpoint just one. However, there’s one incident from my first job that still makes me giggle when I think about it. I was a Corporate Sales Manager at a hotel, and our days were filled with sales calls, including the occasional sales lunch. During my first month on the job, I had an exciting lunch meeting with two prominent women who organized huge conferences in Dallas. In my eagerness to impress, I made the mistake of ordering a shredded chicken taco that I needed to pick up and eat. After my second bite, I realized that a huge piece of chicken was stuck between my two front teeth. (If you’ve met me, you’ll know my teeth are not small!) No matter how hard I tried to discreetly swish water, I couldn’t dislodge the chicken, and I was too nervous to mention it to the two women I was trying to impress. Desperately, I pretended to wipe my mouth with my napkin while attempting to use it to remove the chicken. Instead, I ended up with both chicken and napkin stuck between my teeth. Mortified and running out of ways to communicate with grunts and nods, I had to act fast. In a moment of desperation, I squeezed my straw and pretended to take a sip, using it to pick my teeth. I’m 100% sure the ladies saw it and probably still laugh about it to this day. I’ve never sweated so much in my life.
The early business lesson I learned was simple: always eat something with a fork! On a deeper level, I realized it’s okay to be vulnerable. I probably would have forged a deeper connection if I had just been honest with them and laughed at myself. But at 22, I was so afraid of appearing unprofessional that I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
My first children’s book, Lolly the Left Out Lobster, aims to make a significant social impact by instilling empathy and understanding in young minds. The story features a cute little lobster named Lolly who gets stuck in the woods. The other forest animals are reluctant to help her because they perceive her as scary or out of place. However, Lolly is just like everyone else, only needing a friendly connection to help her out. The message and characters are inspired by real animals, reflecting the true human characteristics I’ve observed in people — those who are willing to lend a hand and those who are not. I believe much of the anti-DEI rhetoric stems from individuals being so focused on their own lives, fears, and desires that they lack the capacity to empathize and truly understand the challenges others face.
There are numerous societal forces at play, making it more complicated for some groups to achieve the American Dream than others. Reflecting on my own experiences growing up in the 70s, I remember the unrealistic media messaging about “bringing home the bacon AND frying it up in a pan.” A man might not fully grasp why being a woman in business can be more challenging due to personal and professional expectations. Lolly the Left Out Lobster goes beyond promoting kindness; it’s about fostering an understanding of different perspectives. I hope the book resonates with young children and parents alike, delivering an entertaining tale that ends with a message of positivity, open hearts, and open minds.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
One of my favorite parts of the book is when Lolly encounters the Turkey, who is deemed the ‘royalty of the forest.’ She represents the people we encounter who prioritize superficial things like money, power, status, and looks over the real person inside. I believe almost everyone has had someone like this in their life at some point, making them feel less than.
Another favorite of mine are the last three pages, which provide helpful hints for talking to little ones about feeling left out, how to listen, and how to engage. I collaborated with my best friend from college on this section. One of the many things I loved about my experience at Cornell was the lifelong friendships I made, and she is an amazing therapist. I joke that she has been ‘therapizing’ me for years, so I knew she would help create easy-to-use tips for any caregiver. I love that we could more deliberately discuss the book’s message in a way that will hopefully influence conversations with little ones.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
It’s challenging to pinpoint a single ‘aha’ moment that led to bringing Lolly the Lobster to life. Instead, it was a series of events and influences the universe brought together. My love for kids and their innate kindness, my desire to spread the message of how foundational kindness can enrich people, relationships, and life, all played a role.
In my role leading social impact work, I often meet incredible individuals in our community who do good every day. One of those people was Malcolm Mitchell, an author, poet, and former Super Bowl champion for the New England Patriots. At an event, I listened to him inspire a room full of young people. I left thinking, “Yes, we have one life to live our best version. Why not give this kids’ book idea a try?” I had been toying with this idea for years, inspired by a funny tale my dad used to tell my daughters about a lobster that lived in the woods.
A few weeks later, during a trip to Maine, I was so moved by the natural beauty that I poured a big glass of wine and started to write. The words began to flow. When I finished, I read it to my dogs — they seemed to like it (ha) — and then I couldn’t wait to share it with my kids to see their reaction.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
My biggest cheerleader has always been my husband, Geoff. We met in college and often say that we’ve grown up together. From holding hands while doing bills when we first started living together — so we wouldn’t fight when we had no money left — to juggling everything on our plate today, we have built a true partnership. Our friendship, deep love, and respect for one another have been the foundation of our relationship.
His unwavering support of my dreams, his encouragement when I’m feeling down, and his ability to lift me up when the book-writing process becomes overwhelming have been invaluable. He is truly my best friend and favorite person in the world. Love and support, whether from friends or family, go a long way.
In the book, when Lolly talks about her mom describing her as “huggy,” I thought about how important it is to have that inner circle of support to rely on when life gets tough. I wish everyone a best friend like him — someone who makes them feel loved and supported, and yes, “huggy.”
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
- Re-brand DEI as Humanity: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion need a rebrand so politicians can approach it more unifiedly. Let’s focus on how we treat each other as humans, beyond political affiliations. It’s about building a stronger society as a whole. The divisiveness is what needs to change. With the right leadership and proper legislation to tackle biased news and fake social media, this change is possible.
- Incorporate the Story into School Curriculums: I hope to see this story as part of school curriculums. It’s not about measurements or objectives that people might get upset about in the DEI realm. It’s about basic human behaviors and values that foster kindness, empathy, and curiosity. These traits break down barriers, create inquisitive leaders, and drive collaboration for better solutions.
- Promote Collaborative and Multi-perspective Approaches: The most successful people and companies I know are those that embrace strong collaborative, multi-perspective approaches. Encouraging these practices within our communities and institutions can lead to more effective problem-solving and innovation.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is about relationships — real relationships, not transactional ones. Real relationships have mutual benefits, mutual support, and shared goals.
My current boss exemplifies the best leader I’ve ever had because our relationship is built on trust, accountability, and curiosity. I always say that my cup is full after a meeting with him. Some behaviors and outcomes are reinforced, and he asks many questions that challenge my thinking. I often walk away deep in thought, feeling like a cartoon character with steam coming out of my head!
Nothing he says is ever directive, but I leave each meeting with enough insight to adjust, pivot, or continue on my path. He helps me think to my greatest ability, which in turn makes me better at my job and how I approach my work. I strive to be this type of leader as well. Providing specific direction is easy, but offering guardrails and allowing people to make mistakes is hard. Yet, it’s essential for developing future leaders.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Be Nice to Yourself… Really. As an overachiever, you’ll often be your harshest critic. The world doesn’t see you the same way you see yourself, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Would you talk to your best friend the way you talk to yourself? Then you shouldn’t talk to yourself that way either. It’s okay to strive for continuous improvement, but don’t discount where you are now. For example, with my book Lolly the Left Out Lobster, others tell me how inspirational it is, but in my head, I’m thinking, “Yeah, but let’s see how many books we sell.” Even today, I have to remind myself to be kind to myself. Few people can see a dream through, so reward yourself when you do.
- Be Patient. Society loves to dictate who we should be, how fast we should climb the ladder, when to marry or have kids, and encourages us to compare ourselves to others. Just don’t. The sooner you focus solely on yourself, the more value you will deliver. I used to be frustrated that I was side-stepping in my career instead of moving up. Over time, I realized that I loved being entrepreneurial and was drawn to building things rather than following a typical career path. I was actually building up my toolbox and gaining richer experiences, even though I was distracted by what I thought I should be doing. My current role was new, and I had to create what it was, how to approach it, and how to execute it. All of my background was essential to get here, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
- Rejection Is Also About Dodging a Bullet. I once interviewed for a role where the interviewer asked a question. When I didn’t give the exact ‘soldier’ answer he was looking for, he sighed heavily and said, “I’ll give you one more try to answer this question… with your MBA hat on, please.” What a pompous response. I held in my laughter, answered the same way as before, and, of course, didn’t get the job. Thank goodness. Can you imagine if I had to think the same way or approach a problem in a prescriptive manner? I dodged a bullet for a job I would have hated and, more importantly, a leadership style that would have suffocated me.
- Balance and Harmony Come in Chapters. View life and career as a long game. Know who you want to be, not just what you want to be. There were times I put my kids first and visited their classroom to make homemade lava lamps, times I flew to Africa for once-in-a-lifetime work experiences, and times I took off work to help a sick family member. All of these were choices for that particular time, place, and moment. Work is a piece of me, but it’s not the whole me.
- Fail and Fail Again. Anyone who claims to have had a perfect career is lying. No one above you has never made a mistake, whether in a role, career move, demotion, or being pushed out. You’ll learn much more from mistakes than successes. My biggest career failure was joining an investor for an entrepreneurial endeavor. I thought I could bring rigor and corporate experience, but I realized some people aren’t cut from the same cloth or hold the same values. You will sink to the lowest common denominator if you don’t make bold choices. I quit, with no job to go to for the first time in my life. This solidified that my values mean more to me than anything, and I’m proud of this learning experience. By reflecting and turning down other offers to understand how I made such a poor choice, my current role came forward. So, the big lesson is to always stick to your values, no matter the risk.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is “As you think, so you will become.”
This mantra was a cornerstone of our family values, constantly reinforced by my dad. He believed it applied to every aspect of life. If I was in a bad mood, he would remind me, “As you think, so you become.” He encouraged me to shift my mindset towards positivity and happiness. If I was anxious about a school assignment, he’d say the same thing, urging me to reframe my anxiety into excitement for the challenge. You get the picture.
My parents would occasionally give me gifts as daily reminders — like a cuff bracelet or a necklace charm with the mantra inscribed (definitely my mom had a hand in these!). This phrase always stuck with me, serving as a reinforcing mantra throughout my life. It has greatly influenced my attitude, helping me navigate various challenges with a positive and proactive mindset.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
There are so many people I’d love to meet, from comedians to entertainers to business leaders, however, the name that immediately comes to mind is Jon Stewart. He seems like the perfect mix for a great conversation, covering topics like family, values, politics, dad jokes, motivation, hope, and inspiration.
I’ve never seen anyone else who can break down complex issues so simply and humorously, while remaining bi-partisan. I’m not sure I’d ever make it onto his list, but if he ever wants someone to read “Lolly” to his grandkids, I’m in!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Follow us on eatlaughgive.com or @eatlaughgive on instagram. Lolly the Left Out Lobster is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and everywhere books are sold.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Allison Hill of ‘Lolly the Left Out Lobster’ Is Helping To… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.