Our Story
The Power of Connection:
The Story of Alison & Angela
To the world, Alison and Angela might seem like an unlikely pair. In truth, even they sometimes marvel at the serendipitous path that led them to one another. But if life has taught them anything, it’s that some connections are simply meant to be. From the moment they first met, there was a deep curiosity, an unspoken understanding that their paths had crossed for a reason. What started as a chance meeting soon evolved into a partnership grounded in shared dreams, relentless determination, and a deep commitment to Tennessee’s babies and their communities.
Angela, a proud Indian from Oklahoma, found her way to Tennessee by way of South Dakota. A former early childhood educator turned systems-focused social worker, she carried with her a deep understanding of the power of relationships in impacting systems.
Alison, an Appalachian from Virginia, was an early-career clinician dedicated to direct services who shared the understanding that relationships are the foundation for all that we hold dear. Their experiences were different, yet their visions for the future of early childhood in Tennessee aligned in profound ways. Over time, they became not just close colleagues, but fast friends and, ultimately, business partners — two dreamers who saw boundless possibilities where others might have seen obstacles.
A Vision for Change
As they interacted across the state in their complementary roles, listening to families, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) professionals, and community leaders, Alison and Angela heard the hopes and dreams for Tennessee’s babies. And they saw a path forward. If you know them, you know that no idea is too big, no dream too bold. They believed in the power of IECMH and its ability to transform lives. More importantly, they believed in people, the families, the professionals, and the communities that make up Tennessee’s early childhood landscape.
Their work became about more than just services; it became about relationships. They knew that meaningful change required trust, collaboration, and a willingness to step into difficult conversations. Together, they championed reflection, honesty, and repair, ensuring that every step they took was in service of building something greater than themselves. Their belief was simple but powerful: when we invest in the well-being of babies, we change the world.
The Birth of the Collective
Through their shared journey, a vision emerged—a bold and innovative approach to early childhood systems development that would center connection over competition and sustainability over short-term solutions. They imagined a space where early childhood focused nonprofits, large and small organizations, and entire systems could rise together, where families and professionals alike could find support, collaboration, and celebration.
Their experiences - working across rural and urban communities, within tribal nations, and alongside organizations of all sizes - taught them that real change happens when people come together with open hearts and a willingness to listen. They leaned into the hard conversations, navigated challenges with honesty and grace, and championed one another both personally and professionally. Through it all, they “grew up” together in the IECMH world, each learning from the other in ways that strengthened their work and deepened their purpose.
And so, the Collective was born - not just as an organization, but as a movement, aimed at taking the magic of their work in Tennessee and sharing it with those across the United States. A place where new voices and fresh perspectives could join in the effort to operationalize relationships into measurable, meaningful change. A place where professionals and families could find a community that believes in lifting each other up.
Today, Alison and Angela continue to dream, to build, and to welcome others into this ever-growing conversation. They invite you to share your story, to dream alongside them, and to sit down for a cup of coffee, because every great idea starts with a conversation.
![Alison Peak [sitting] - orig.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2107d3_32542a2f91f2446e92e17d3a37ae7c43~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_169,w_3563,h_3652/fill/w_376,h_386,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Alison%20Peak%20%5Bsitting%5D%20-%20orig.jpg)
Alison Peak, LCSW, IMH-E®
Partner • Collective Co-Lead
Alison has spent the majority of her career dedicated to two primary passions: integrated behavioral health services in primary care settings and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Clinically, Alison is passionate about working with children who have histories of early trauma and their caregivers, Reflective Supervision, and utilizing RSC to build leadership capacity in systems. Systemically, Alison has significant experience in working with projects and programs to identify pathways to sustainability, developing creative solutions to gaps in services, and connecting current systemic efforts to long-term goals for change. Alison is proud to work alongside state and national colleagues to further Infant and Early Childhood services and workforce development.
Alison is the Executive Director of Allied Behavioral Health Solutions in Nashville, TN.
![Angela Webster [2025].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2107d3_cd7da245240d4e45a048ddf997ae6619~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_4,y_0,w_293,h_300/fill/w_381,h_386,al_c,lg_1,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/Angela%20Webster%20%5B2025%5D.png)
Angela Webster, MSW, IECMH-E®
Partner • Collective Co-Lead
Angela started her career in early childhood education and even all these years later, is still known as a preschool teacher at heart. She later followed her heart into social work with a focus in community development, advocacy, and nonprofit administration, developing fluency in "nonprofit-eeze" along the way. As a nonprofit executive and nonprofit capacity development consultant, Angela has extensive experience in organizational and community development and policy and systems change, all rooted in relationship-focused practice. Angela eagerly stands with early childhood leaders across the US as they navigate the complex worlds of nonprofit leadership and systems change while doing the world changing work of holding little ones and their families.
Angela is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association for Infant Mental Health in Tennessee [AIMHiTN], a statewide nonprofit dedicated to supporting the infant early childhood workforce.
The Collective is a program of Allied Behavioral Health Solutions
in partnership with Raising a NonProfit.
