Alison Tierney is the Director of Inclusive Business Partnerships for the Pacific Mountain West region at WSP in the U.S., a global engineering and professional services firm specializing in complex infrastructure and environmental projects. At WSP, Alison fosters strategic partnerships and community-centric collaboration, supporting diverse businesses and advancing the company's global reach of 80,000 employees and its industry-leading inclusion initiatives. With over 20 years of experience across engineering, consultancy, and digital marketing, she combines business leadership with a passion for purpose-driven impact, bridging the gap between large organizations and small business partners.

Breaking into large organizations isn't usually about having the best capabilities or the perfect pitch. More often, success comes down to understanding how big companies operate, building trust over time, and staying committed long after the first conversation ends. So what does it really take for a small business to earn a seat at the table with major organizations?

According to Alison Tierney, a seasoned professional who has spent decades helping businesses build strategic partnerships and grow sustainably, the answer is patience. She explains that winning work with large organizations is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring years of relationship-building, consistent follow-through, and finding advocates within the organization who can champion your value.

In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Alison Tierney, Director of Inclusive Business Partnerships at WSP in the U.S, to discuss how small businesses can successfully build relationships with large organizations and position themselves for long-term growth. They explore why patience is critical, how relationship-building creates opportunities, and the advantages small firms bring through agility and responsiveness.