Ali moved to Florida in 1998 on a scholarship to the University of South Florida in Tampa, relocating from upstate New York near Saratoga Springs. In 2005, she began pursuing her passion for design and went on to earn her B.A. in Interior Design in 2011 from the International Academy of Design & Technology (IADT), which later became Sanford-Brown College before closing in 2012.

Ali was drawn to interior design because of the diverse challenges each project presents and the wide range of career paths the field offers. Prior to 2011, Florida required interior designers to be state-licensed—similar to architects and engineers—but this law was overturned that same year.

In February 2025, Ali was introduced to Reliable Cabinet Designs through a referral from Gator Wilderness Camp School, which collaborates with Shane at various nonprofit and community events.

Outside of work, Ali enjoys diving into true crime stories and considers herself something of a “sofa detective.” She’s also passionate about movies of all genres, food, and cooking.