Ali began her musical journey in Chicago, working in nightclubs slinging drinks while going to school at Columbia College and getting a music business degree.

Soon after, she started working as a booking agent at The Billions Corporation assisting David “Boche” Viecelli routing tours. Within a year and a half she signed her first act, Calexico, and went on to sign such acts as Sufjan Stevens, Glen Hansard, The New Pornographers, Mt. Joy, Rhye, Noname, The Head and the Heart, Glass Animals and Car Seat Headrest.

Ali has done charitable work with the organisation Plus1 and was the chairman of the KEXP advisory board for the past four years.

Currently she is one of the founders at Arrival Arts, an independent booking agency with over 120 artists.