Alison McClain is the Chief Operations Officer at Tulsa Honor Academy, a network of three charter schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her journey in education began in the classroom, where she was trained to teach and quickly found success driving student achievement. Recognized early on for her leadership potential, Alison was encouraged to join the School Executive Leadership Academy, a master’s program that shaped not just her administrative skills, but her capacity to lead as a strategic executive. Since then, she’s served as a principal, Head of Talent, and now COO—guiding her schools through major transitions, including the pandemic, with care and clarity. Most recently, she has expanded her expertise in finance and operations, building and managing a $13.8 million budget with precision and purpose.

As a member of the Charter School Growth Fund portfolio and a participant in the Charter Network Accelerator, Alison continues to prioritize her own learning and development. She will serve as THA's Priority Owner in the coming year, leading efforts to strengthen student attendance—work that aligns with her core commitment to kids and community. Originally from a small town in Oklahoma, Alison’s early experiences taught her the value of deep relationships and local leadership. That foundation continues to shape her approach today: people-first, values-driven, and relentlessly focused on equity and opportunity. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her wife and their dog, Toaster Strudel (aka Stru), as well as diving into books, watching documentaries, and sneaking away to a North Carolina beach when possible.