OUR STAFF

Ms. JD's dedicated staff brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and passion to everything they do. Get to know the faces behind our organization and discover the diverse talents that make this small but mighty team truly exceptional.

Danielle Allison

President & Chief Executive Officer

Danielle Allison is the Chief Executive Officer of Ms. JD, where she leads with a vision to create a legal profession where every woman can design and realize her career without limit. A proud graduate of Florida State University and Harvard Law School, Danielle began her legal journey as a law clerk to then-Chief Judge U.W. Clemon of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. She then practiced in the litigation group at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (now Eversheds Sutherland) in Atlanta, Georgia, where she also served as founding chair of the firm’s “Women Stepping Up” philanthropy initiative, co-chair of the women attorneys group, and a member of the hiring committee.


Under Danielle’s leadership, Ms. JD has expanded its national footprint and influence through the development and implementation of a portfolio of trademarked programs designed to meet the evolving needs of diverse girls and women across the United States. Her innovative and impactful initiatives—Determined to Rise, a law and leadership program for middle school girls; the Law Student Leadership Academy, focused on leadership and professional development for women law students; and LaddHer Up, a distinctive retreat for early-career women law firm associates to engage directly with women general counsel—have garnered national recognition for their ingenuity and effectiveness.


Danielle is a former Fellow of the American Bar Association Business Law Section (2013–2015) and has held leadership roles with numerous organizations, including the State Bar of Georgia Committee to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Profession, Leadership Atlanta’s LEAD Atlanta Class of 2012, the Atlanta Women’s Foundation Destiny Fund Class of 2009, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers.


A dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Danielle has served on the Board of Directors of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations and is a past president of the Junior League of Lee County, Alabama. She was also an adjunct professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she designed and taught a course on leadership for women in law.

Brianca Hurley

Program Director

Brianca Hurley is a seasoned operations leader with over a decade of experience driving organizational efficiency and implementing strategic initiatives. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President of Operations at the Juneteenth Foundation, where she managed revenue streams, strengthened partnerships, and implemented systems to enhance organizational impact. A trusted advisor to C-suite leaders and boards, Brianca is known for fostering collaboration, driving key initiatives, and delivering results aligned with organizational goals.

Before her role at the Juneteenth Foundation, Brianca was Director of Operations at Burgher Gray LLP. There, she oversaw business operations, implemented effective financial procedures, and led cross-functional projects. Her expertise in executive support, project management, and strategic planning was instrumental in advancing organizational priorities and improving overall efficiency.

Brianca holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Seton Hall University and a Master's Degree in Psychology from Liberty University. She is a resourceful problem solver and innovative thinker, ready to make impactful contributions to Ms. JD.

Andrea Watson

Development Director

Andrea Watson has been cultivating community and professional relationships for more than 20 years in the nonprofit sector. Andrea is an experienced grant writer, fundraiser, content creator, and a passionate champion of the arts, education, and the empowerment of marginalized individuals and communities. She lives in Arizona with her husband and is the proud mom of two innovative change-makers and justice-seekers.

Claire Thomas

Program Assistant

Claire Thomas is the program assistant at Ms. JD. She is passionate about building community and helping women find mentorship and support in their careers. Claire is a graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in Anthropology and Russian Studies, and prior to joining Ms. JD she worked at Combined Jewish Philanthropies running leadership programs and supporting their volunteer network. She lives in Medford, Massachusetts.