Ivye L. Allen

Ivye Allen has an extensive background in philanthropy emphasizing economic development, community development, and systems change. Dr. Allen previously served as Chief Operating Officer for MDC Inc. in Chapel Hill, North Carolina – a nonprofit organization that works to advance equity issues and opportunities in the American South.

Her responsibilities included managing the daily operations of the organization while also working on philanthropy issues. The work of the Foundation for the Mid South is to promote racial, social, and economic equity in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. She was a visiting professor to Jackson State University, and former chair of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation Board. Prior to joining MDC, Dr. Allen was a consultant to nonprofit organizations and taught graduate public policy and urban affairs courses at Jackson State University and Hunter College. In addition, Dr. Allen served as director of fellowship programs for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in New York.

Her education includes a Ph.D. in social policy from Columbia University; a M.S. in Urban Affairs from Hunter College; a M.B.A. in marketing and international business from New York University; and a bachelor’s in economics from Howard University. While with the Center on Community Philanthropy, Dr. Allen presented a paper on how community philanthropy efforts and activities can help advance movement toward equitable and just communities.