Mr. Dawn H. Allen ’81 – Albemarle, NC
Dawn Allen has been the President/Chief Executive Officer of GHA Autism Supports, formerly known as Group Homes for the Autistic/GHA, since 1984. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Pfeiffer University and a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dawn joined the organization as a direct care staff person in 1981 when it was then known as “The Group Home for the Autistic”, the first residence that was home to five children.
Since that time, GHA Autism Supports has expanded, offering a number of services for individuals with autism. Under her leadership, the entity has grown from an organization serving five children to an organization that currently supports over 100 individuals in programs providing residential, vocational, educational, community, and in-home services.
Within her professional realm, Dawn has served as a Past-President of Cardinal Innovations/Piedmont Network Council, and past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Stanly County Community Foundation and the NC Providers Association. Currently, she serves as a member of the Admissions Committee of the Murdoch Developmental Center and serves on the Board of Directors of Rubicon.
In both 1998 and 2008, Dawn was named “Professional of the Year” by the Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC). In addition, she was presented the Achievement Award by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Division TEACCH Program in 2008. In 2012, Dawn was awarded the NC Providers Council “Steve Jordan Lighthouse Award” for her extraordinary contributions to the IDD, MH, and SA systems through innovative practices, inspiring leadership, and passionate advocacy efforts. In 2017, she was awarded the Pfeiffer University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Over the years, Dawn has remained active in her community by serving as Past-President and Campaign Chair of the United Way of Stanly County and has served several terms on the Executive Committee of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Advisory Council for Atrium Health in Stanly County, and is also an active member of the Albemarle Rotary Club.