Nuala McAllister was born in Belfast in 1989.

Born and raised at the foot of Cavehill in the north of the City; she attended Mercy Primary School and Dominican College, Fortwilliam. McAllister completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Ulster, obtaining a degree in Law and Politics. She is an alumna of the Washington Ireland Programme, having worked as an intern in the United States Congress.

Councillor McAllister was first elected to Council in May 2014 for the Castle District Electoral Area. McAllister became the fourth female Lord Mayor of Belfast and the first mother to have a young family while in office.

She has two sons, Finn & Art with her partner Sam.