Allison Lear is a Founding Partner on the Nine Dean team. Ms. Lear is a skilled executive with extensive experience in strategic human capital management, organizational restructuring, process optimization, and change management. Her career spans diverse industries and roles that leveraged her expertise in driving organizational success. Most recently, as a Senior Business Analyst on the Direct Lending team at The Carlyle Group, she spearheaded initiatives to enhance team operations and profitability, focusing on optimizing team design and implementing robust expense tracking and control measures.​

Prior to her role at Carlyle, Ms. Lear served as the VP of HR Strategy at Denali Water Solutions, where she led the restructuring of the HR department for the 1,700-employee organization. Her achievements included standardizing and professionalizing HR functions across the nationwide organization, as well as developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for compensation, job design, and employee development. She also led HR due diligence for acquisitions and managed post-acquisition integration processes, facilitating smooth transitions for employees from newly acquired companies.​

Ms. Lear joined Denali after its acquisition of Organix Recycling, where she served as the VP of Human Capital. While at Organix, she led the overhaul of the human capital function to improve employee compensation and working conditions. She also developed employee communication strategies and supported integration during the company's sale to Denali Water Solutions. Prior to Organix, Ms. Lear served as a senior advisor to 7 Acquisition Corporation, a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, and worked as an independent consultant at Belltown Advisors, providing HR and operational guidance to entrepreneurs and startups.​

Ms. Lear resides in Stamford, CT, with her husband and two children. She serves as a volunteer for Temple Sinai of Stamford, sings in the temple choir, and volunteers at a local community theater. Ms. Lear holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College.