EDUCATION
Harvard Divinity School
Master of Theological Studies (2018)
Specialization in Religion, Literature, and Culture
Graduated with Honors
Rice University
Bachelor of Arts in Religion (2016)
Specialization in Psychology of Religion
Graduated with Honors
EXPERIENCE
American Fidelity Life Insurance Company
Content Strategy Contractor, April 2024—present
• Conduct qualitative research, work closely with Vice Presidents to reshape customer personas and business goals
• Oversee third-party digital marketing agency to ensure accuracy and brand alignment of web content
Learn to Play Coach, Somerville Youth Hockey Association
Volunteer Coach, July 2025—December 2025
• Teach children aged 7-13 basic ice-skating fundamentals and other foundational ice hockey skills
Stanford University Office for Religious and Spiritual Life
Consultant, September 2023—present
• Work closely with office Director, chaplains, and ORSL student fellows to promote multifaith engagement and facilitate student flourishing through practices and meaning-making resources from various faiths
Holy Rebels Podcast
SEO Blog Writer, March 2024—December 2024
• Write SEO blog post companions for weekly episodes of Christian mysticism podcast
• Keyword research, on-page optimization, meta texts, AI image generation, track and report analytics
Upwork—various clients
Writing Coach, November 2023—December 2024
• Provide various clients with concept development, outlining, editing, and proofreading services
• Design lessons, write scripts, and record videos for online course on how to write a book
The Peach Basket
Sports Writer, October 2023—April 2024
• Write bi-monthly insightful SEO-driven blog posts for NBA fan site founded by Bleacher Report contributor
• Work closely with founder and other contributors in strategy meetings to help inform strategy for site growth
Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing (non-profit organization)
Editorial Contributor, May 2023—August 2024
• Conduct research and write content for weekly email newsletter on common themes across religions
• Assist in early stages of research and ghostwriting for Love, Learn, Play, published by Forbes Books
Alibaba.com
Content Marketing Strategist, February 2022—August 2023
• Write copy for Alibaba.com’s monthly Elite Partner Event, leading to 13.07 annual increase in buyer NPS
• Create content guidelines and templates for storefronts of Elite Partner Event merchants on Alibaba.com
SpotFeed Lacrosse
Search Engine Optimization Writer, October 2021—April 2023
• Work closely with Founder to create brand narrative, write landing page copy, create lead magnets
• Write product guides for target audience of parents, growing weekly impressions from 500 to 20,000
Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing (non-profit organization)
Lead Researcher and Writer, May 2018—July 2022
• Ghostwrite 100,000+ word, research-intensive book on common themes across world religions
• Ghostwrite all web-based content, including blog articles and newsletters
• Co-design curriculum for afterschool “Love, Learn, Play Girls’ Club” in Sierra Leone in conjunction with Sierra Leone’s We Yone Child Foundation and the UK-based Paul Hodges Trust
Harvard Human Flourishing Program
Content Strategist, October 2021—December 2021
• Develop content strategy for wellness app that facilitates positive habits through research-based interventions
• UX editing and writing, resulting in 2x increase of daily visitors and 4x increase in time spent on website
Simmons College Office of Spiritual Life—Faith Fellow
Field Education through Harvard Divinity School, September 2017—May 2018
• Lead students on educational tours of houses of worship around Boston
• Teach tai chi classes at Simmons College’s fitness center
Memorial Hermann Hospital—Staff Chaplain
Clinical Pastoral Education (Field Education through Harvard Divinity School), June 2017—July 2017
• Visit patients to provide one-on-one emotional and spiritual support
• Attend classes and workshops as part of the CPE program
Family Promise Metrowest—Volunteer
Field Education through Harvard Divinity School, February 2017—April 2017
• Overnight host for homeless families sheltering at Peace Lutheran Church
• Answer and respond to phone inquiries; other office duties
Peace Lutheran Church—Intern
Field Education through Harvard Divinity School, September 2016—May 2017
• Teach tai chi classes for church members
• Lead educational forums for church members about world religions
WITS Creative Writing Camp—Teaching Assistant
Hosted by Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, May 2015—August 2015
• Assist instructors with record-keeping and lesson planning for high school students
• Guide instructors, students, and other affiliates around campus
Rice University Humanities Research Center—Carlson Fellow
Research Assistant for Professor Jeffrey J. Kripal, May 2014—August 2014
• Aid in collecting and organizing research materials for book project
• Draft syllabus for undergraduate course
National Honor Society
Afterschool Peer Tutor, Sep 2010—May 2012
• Tutor high school classmates in a variety of subjects, including Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus
PUBLICATIONS
Porot, Christophe, and Allen Simon. “Equality in the Pokémon World” and “Team Plasma Was Right…sort of” in Pokémon & Philosophy: A Trainer’s Guide to the Toughest Questions. Ed. Nicolas Michaud. Carus Books, September 2, 2025.
Simon, Allen. “Believing in Silence.” Wayfare Magazine. Ed. Zachary Davis. May 21, 2024. https://www.wayfaremagazine.org/p/believing-in-silence.
Porot, Christophe, and Allen Simon. “Bourdain’s Taste for Freedom” in Anthony Bourdain and Philosophy. Ed. Scott Calef. Carus Books, December 26, 2023.
Ghostwritten Books
The Gospel Of Thomas: Decoding The Wisdom Of Jesus. Noah Press. March 26, 2024.
Gupta, Akhil. Bridges Across Humanity: Different Religions, Similar Teachings. New Delhi, India: Rupa Publishing, May 5, 2023.
AWARDS AND HONORS
2018 HBX CORe Certificate from Harvard Business School—coursework in analytics, economics, and accounting
Rice University Men’s Lacrosse Club: President (2016), Treasurer (2015)
2016 Rice University Saba Prize—highest honor awarded by Religion Department faculty
2015 Treasurer of Rice University Men’s Lacrosse Club
2015 Rice University Aparicio Award for best undergraduate paper in Psychology of Religion
Allen J Simon 