Katie Allen is a first year PhD student at the University of Guelph in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, Rural Studies program. Katie hails from the small rural community of Douro, just outside of Peterborough, Ontario.  A lifelong learner, Katie has an academic background and professional experience in sustainability, social enterprise and community economic development.

As a committed practitioner and former non-profit board member, Katie has experienced first hand the precarious nature of the non-profit sector. As such, her study interests are deeply rooted in place-based development, governance, sustainability and policy. Specifically, Katie is interested studying alternative governance structures that can address systemic organizational capacity and financial sustainability challenges experienced by non-profit and charitable organizations in rural communities.

When not engaged in academia Katie loves to spend time with her Australian Shepherd, Farley Mowat.