Upstate Forever Staff

Allie Martinsen joined Upstate Forever as Land Policy Manager in January 2023. Originally from Kansas City, she graduated from Saint Louis University with a degree in Philosophy, Psychology, and Gender Studies. She previously worked as a special education teacher in New York, which cemented her lifelong love of learning and passion for advancing systems-level change through policy. After teaching, she received a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis where she concentrated in Domestic Social and Economic Development. Before moving to Spartanburg, she conducted research related to food policy and nutrition insecurity.

In her role at Upstate Forever, Allie is excited to use her expertise to advance policies that prevent sprawl, protect green spaces, and preserve the distinct character of communities. 

In her free time, you can find Allie reading in a coffee shop, browsing a farmer’s market or hiking with her dog.