Allison Sesso is a passionate advocate for social justice, known for her transformative leadership in addressing the pressing issue of medical debt in the United States. As the President and CEO of Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit organization committed to alleviating the burden of medical debt for millions of Americans, she has dedicated her career to finding innovative solutions to systemic financial struggles that affect vulnerable communities.
Key Information
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Allison Sesso |
| Current Title | President & CEO, Undue Medical Debt (formerly RIP Medical Debt) |
| Date of Appointment | January 2020 |
| Previous Role | Executive Director, Human Services Council of New York (2014–2020) |
| Education | Background in public policy and social services (specific institutions not publicly disclosed) |
| Nationality | American |
| Residence | New York, United States |
| Years Active | 2000s–present |
| Notable Recognitions | – Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare (2024) – Fierce 50 Impact Award (2023)- NYC Imagine Award for Innovation (2022) |
| Major Achievements | – Expanded eligibility for debt relief to families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level – Shifted debt acquisition model to focus more on purchasing debt directly from healthcare providers, facilitating earlier intervention |
| Advocacy & Policy Work | – Advocates for systemic changes to address the root causes of medical debt |
| Personal Life | Balances roles as CEO, mother, partner, community member, and friend; values leadership development and personal growth through networks like CALO |
| Public Engagements | |
| Vision Statement | “I dream of a future in which Undue Medical Debt does not need to exist.” |
Early Life and Education
Allison Sesso was raised in a community where values of empathy, fairness, and the importance of serving others were instilled from a young age. While there is limited public information available about her early life, Sesso’s dedication to social causes and community development later in life speaks to the strong foundation she built during her formative years. Sesso pursued her academic interests in the humanities and social sciences, which laid the groundwork for her future work in nonprofit organizations.
She completed her higher education with a focus on public policy and social work, ensuring she had the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for those in need. Her education provided her with a unique perspective on the challenges that marginalized groups face, particularly in the realms of healthcare and financial stability.
Professional Journey
Before leading Undue Medical Debt, Sesso had a distinguished career in nonprofit management and advocacy. Her work as the Executive Director of the Human Services Council (HSC) of New York was instrumental in improving the relationships between government entities and nonprofit organizations that provide crucial social services. At HSC, Sesso played a significant role in streamlining the operations of nonprofit organizations and ensuring they were able to deliver efficient and effective services to the public.
This role helped Sesso develop a deep understanding of the systemic barriers that prevent many people, particularly low-income individuals, from accessing the resources and care they need. It was here that she realized the severe impact that medical debt has on millions of Americans, prompting her to shift her focus to fighting the growing crisis of medical debt.
Undue Medical Debt: A Vision for Relief
In her role as the President and CEO of Undue Medical Debt, Sesso has led the organization in its mission to relieve the burden of medical debt from families across the country. The organization uses a unique strategy of leveraging charitable donations to purchase and forgive medical debt, allowing it to help individuals who are struggling with overwhelming medical bills due to illness, injury, or unforeseen health events. Under Sesso’s leadership, Undue Medical Debt has forgiven over $15 billion in medical debt for more than 10 million individuals, providing them with a fresh start and a sense of financial relief.
The organization’s innovative model has garnered significant attention, and Sesso’s leadership has been praised for her ability to mobilize resources and raise awareness about the importance of healthcare access and the impact of financial insecurity caused by medical expenses. Through her work, she has emphasized that medical debt should not be a burden that affects the well-being of families and individuals who are already vulnerable.
Recognized Leadership and Advocacy
Allison Sesso’s impact has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized as a leader in the fight against medical debt, and her work has earned her a place in the 2025 TIME100 list, which highlights the most influential individuals across the globe. This prestigious recognition is a testament to her relentless dedication to improving lives and pushing for systemic change.
Her advocacy work extends beyond the realm of medical debt. Sesso is a strong proponent of healthcare reform, believing that no individual should be forced into financial ruin due to the cost of necessary care. She actively engages in public policy discussions and works with lawmakers and fellow advocates to push for broader reforms in healthcare access and affordability.
Personal Life and Vision
While Allison Sesso’s professional accomplishments are remarkable, she is equally committed to her values of fairness, compassion, and social equity. As a leader, she believes in empowering others, particularly those from underserved communities, and is dedicated to creating opportunities for people to thrive without the shadow of medical debt hanging over them.
Looking toward the future, Sesso is committed to further advancing Undue Medical Debt’s mission, expanding its reach, and creating lasting systemic changes that will ensure fewer individuals have to endure the hardships associated with medical expenses. Her vision is one of hope, where financial security is not determined by health status and where everyone has access to the care they need without fear of economic devastation.
Legacy and Impact
Allison Sesso work has created a ripple effect in both the nonprofit sector and in the lives of millions of Americans struggling with medical debt. Through her leadership, she has demonstrated the power of innovative thinking and community support in solving some of society’s most complex problems. Her unwavering commitment to fairness and her role as an advocate for social justice have made her a prominent figure in the fight against medical debt, inspiring a new generation of leaders and changemakers.
Her legacy will undoubtedly be one of compassion and transformation, ensuring that her work will continue to positively impact lives for many years to come. Through her determination, leadership, and vision, Allison Sesso has become a symbol of hope for those burdened by medical debt and a powerful force for change in healthcare reform.
Interesting Facts about Allison Sesso
- Leader in Erasing Medical Debt
Under her leadership, Undue Medical Debt has abolished over $15 billion in medical debt, impacting more than 10 million Americans, many of whom didn’t even know they were eligible until they received the relief letter. - Named in TIME100 in 2025
She was included in the 2025 TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world, an honor given to individuals making a global impact. - Transformed a Grassroots Nonprofit
When Sesso joined in 2020, Undue Medical Debt (then RIP Medical Debt) was still growing. She rebranded and scaled the organization dramatically, expanding its reach nationwide. - Pushed for Early Intervention
Sesso pioneered a new model of purchasing medical debt directly from hospitals and clinics rather than from third-party debt buyers, allowing the organization to step in before patients even know they’re in collections. - Lifelong Advocate for Equity
Even before leading Undue, she worked to improve human services in New York. As Executive Director of the Human Services Council, she helped reform how nonprofits work with government contracts. - Consulted by the White House
Due to her expertise, Sesso has been called upon to advise the White House and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on national policy reforms related to medical debt. - Believes in ‘Ending Her Job’
She often says, “I dream of a future in which Undue Medical Debt doesn’t need to exist,” revealing her core belief that real success means solving the root problem so thoroughly that her organization becomes unnecessary. - Named a Fierce 50 Impact Leader
She was recognized with the Fierce 50 Award for her innovation in healthcare and her role in addressing one of America’s leading causes of personal bankruptcy. - Powerful Public Speaker
Sesso regularly delivers keynotes and panels, often challenging healthcare institutions to consider how billing practices affect community health outcomes. - Human First, CEO Second
Outside of work, she emphasizes balance, frequently mentioning her roles as a mother, partner, and community member as part of her identity, not separate from her professional life.
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