Allan grew up in Canada but work, studies and travel led him for many years to the US, Haiti, and England as well as to more than 60 countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.
Allan has served in leadership and governance roles in politics and nonprofits, and is currently a member of the board for The Social Housing Registry of Ottawa and serves as Executive Director of John Howard Society of Ottawa. He holds an MSc in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London and was a recipient of the Forty Under 40 award in 2021.