From Birthday Boxes to EdTech Innovation: How One Young Philanthropist Is Reimagining Access and Impact

In 2019, AFP honored Lizzie Allison, with the William R. Simms Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy for her nonprofit, Team Celebrate, an organization dedicated to ensuring that children in foster care felt seen and valued on their birthdays.

Now, six years later, she has continued that spirit of service in a new chapter. After leading Team Celebrate through major growth—and major pivots during the COVID-19 pandemic—she has gone on to build a career centered on expanding opportunity, currently serving as chief innovation officer at EdVisorly, a mission-driven startup transforming the community-college transfer experience.

We sat down with her to learn more about this journey from youth-led nonprofit founder to innovation leader, and how her early experiences in philanthropy continue to influence the work she does today.

Q: You started Team Celebrate in 2017 when you were just 15 and you achieved some amazing results. How did you build and motivate such a strong community of support around your cause?
A: When I founded Team Celebrate, I was driven by a simple idea: every child deserves to feel celebrated on their birthday, especially those in foster care. I started by organizing birthday box drives at our local children’s home, and I found that once people understood the impact—a child feeling seen and valued on their special day—they were eager to help. I built a network of classmates, community members, and nonprofit partners by being clear about our mission, sharing stories of impact, and making it easy for people to get involved. I was fortunate to be featured in Scholastic magazine in schools across the country and in local news media. Social media played a big role too and we used it to highlight the joy these celebrations brought, which helped build momentum and bring in volunteers and donors across the country.

Q: You continued to work with Team Celebrate through 2021. How did your role with the organization evolve as you started college, while also dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: I started college at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business in the beginning of COVID. Of course, most people stopped doing group birthday parties for a time, so we pivoted to focusing on making and mailing birthday cards so kids could still feel celebrated, and it was an activity high school Team Celebrate clubs and service clubs could continue doing on their own at home. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions from COVID and the fact that our entire leadership board all went to college at the same time, we eventually did make the difficult decision to shut down the birthday box side of our operations but continued the birthday cards for a couple more years. 

I’m also proud that while we had to shut down the nonprofit, our entire teen board has carried forward the spirit of service. Now that we’ve all graduated college, we’re each making a difference in our own ways such as through teaching, graduate studies in public health, a climate change fellowship, and work in technology. 

Q: Now you're the Chief Innovation Officer at EdVisorly, a startup focused on higher education access. Can you tell us a bit about your role and the mission of EdVisorly?
A: EdVisorly is on a mission to simplify the transfer process from community college to four-year universities. As a former community college transfer student, this mission is deeply personal. In my role as Chief Innovation Officer, I lead product development and user experience, ensuring that our platform truly meets the needs of students and institutions. I also collaborate across teams on strategy, partnerships, and innovation, always with a student-first mindset. We’re building tools that help students navigate the transfer path with confidence and clarity, opening doors to opportunity.

Q: What skills or experiences from your nonprofit work have been most valuable as you’ve moved into the startup and tech space?
A: Leading Team Celebrate taught me how to build from scratch—how to mobilize people, tell a compelling story, solve real problems, and pivot when things don’t go as planned. Those same skills translate directly to the startup world. Nonprofit work also gave me a deep sense of empathy and an understanding of how to center mission and impact. Writing grants, finding sponsors and personally asking for donations certainly sharpened my communication and relationship skills. Whether I’m designing a product or pitching a partnership, I’m always thinking about the human experience behind the data or technology.

Q: You’ve shown a strong commitment to social impact throughout your journey. What continues to drive you to create change?
A: I’ve seen firsthand how systems can leave people behind, whether it’s foster youth not being celebrated, kids being underestimated in the value they can bring as community volunteers, or transfer students feeling invisible. What drives me is the belief that we can do better. I’m motivated by the stories of the people we serve and the possibility of making their journeys just a little bit easier, more joyful, or more empowering. That sense of purpose fuels me every day.

Q: What advice would you give to a young person who has an idea for a cause they care about but isn’t sure how to get started?
A: Start small and start now. You don’t need a perfect plan, you just need to take one step. Talk to people, test your idea, and be open to learning along the way. Don’t underestimate the power of sharing your “why.” When people understand your passion, they’ll want to help. And don’t be afraid to ask for support—mentors, friends, and community partners can open doors you didn’t even know existed. Most importantly, believe that your voice matters. Because it does.

Interested in honoring inspiring youth in your community? Applications are currently open for the 2026 William R. Simms Award for Youth in Philanthropy, sponsored by Carter. Submit your nomination by December 19, 2025.