Allen is a Jackson County native and a graduate of Smoky Mountain High School. She holds a bachelor of arts in English from Guilford College and a master of science in human resources from Western Carolina University.

Allen most recently served seven years as the human resources administrator at Southwestern Community College and five years as an administrative assistant.

Allen said she joined the Board of Elections in 2018 out of curiosity to learn more about the election processes. She was particularly impressed with the transparency and high standards of service provided to Jackson County candidates and voters. Over the past five years, Allen has taken on a variety of roles with increasing responsibilities, starting as a precinct worker, then advancing to precinct judge and chief judge.