Calvin Allen

THRIVE RURAL THEORY OF CHANGE (TOC) WORKING GROUP, ASPEN CSG

Calvin Allen became the first Rural Forward NC director in October 2014.  He manages RFNC’s “Beyond Local” portfolio, strengthening key state and national relationships, providing technical assistance, and supporting our local partners in Healthy Places NC counties. For over twenty-five years, Calvin has worked in the nonprofit sector as an administrator, trainer, facilitator, advocate, and consultant, primarily around organizational development, rural economic development, leadership, and conflict management. Most recently, he worked for the Golden LEAF Foundation’s community grants making programs as a program officer.  He also served as deputy director at the Southern Rural Development Initiative, director of the National Community Forestry Service Center at the Conservation Fund, and associate director at the Dispute Settlement Center of Orange County.

Calvin graduated from Duke University in 1992, and is also a 1994 graduate of Leadership Durham. He received a certificate in nonprofit management in September 2004 and is a 2003-2005 graduate of the William C. Friday Fellow for Human Relations through the Wildacres Leadership Initiative.