Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky has welcomed Dr. Laura Allen, a native Northern Kentuckian and researcher in the field of aging, as its new director of development.
Allen joined the development and marketing team to advance the nonprofit’s mission of delivering essential services that promote seniors’ independence and well-being. She started in her role last month.
Most recently, Allen completed research as project director for the Kenton County Aging Readiness Plan—a five-year roadmap of practical strategies to strengthen long-term care and caregiving, housing, transportation and community connection for older adults in Kenton County. The project is rooted in community development with research led by the Erickson School of Aging Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the Northern Kentucky Area Development District.
“Our community has already benefitted from Dr. Allen’s work in the field of aging,” said Meals on Wheels Chief Advancement Officer Justin Beale. “As one of the leading senior service providers in the region, Meals on Wheels is lucky to have Dr. Allen guiding our development efforts and cultivating a culture of philanthropy,”
“This organization is growing, and it is rising to meet the moment,” said Allen. “One of the most important things I learned in my last position was the economic impact of aging services like Meals on Wheels. Supporting older adults to stay at home for longer not only serves the individual client, but it creates a ripple effect across our entire community—from reducing the strain on our healthcare system to the neighborhoods, organizations and local businesses that benefit when older adults remain active, independent participants.”
Allen completed her Ph.D. in Integrated Social Sciences at Bar-Ilan University in Israel as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie grantee and early-stage researcher within the Eurpean Univeion Horizon 2020 EuroAgeism network, where her research focused on ageism. As a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar at Windesheim University in Netherlands, she explored Dutch long-term care administration and resident autonomy.
Allen holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Western Kentucky University, with a minor in gerontology and a certificate in long-term care administration. She grew up in Crittenden.
Meals on Wheels