Multicultural and Gender Studies

Allison Ivie

Allison Ivie graduated from Chico State University with a BA in Multicultural and Gender Studies and a BA in General English (2011). Here at Chico State, Allison worked at Catalyst Domestic Violence Services as a peer counselor for a year, moreover serving as a community advocate for Chico Advocates for a Responsible Economy (C.A.R.E) throughout her time in Chico. 

After graduation, Allison went on to get a Master's degree in Public Policy and a Master of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, Massachusetts. There, Allison furthered her community impact by creating the webpage "Women Be Healthy" while working as a Graduate Student Research Assistant. The web page provides health-related information for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While a research assistant, Allison also created informational briefs for caregivers, doctors, and researchers to help them better assist and support women with disabilities. 

Along this same path, Allison worked as a research intern for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, where she researched and wrote the annual State of Women report that profiles the status of women living within the Commonwealth. These findings are used by legislators and policymakers to inform future legislation and public policy. Not only so, but Allison later became the principal advisor to Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) at the U.S House of Representatives on women's issues, animal welfare, education, labor, LGBTQ+ rights, and many other subjects. Here she developed a robust women's portfolio, some highlights being the inclusion of a women's issue page on Congressman Thompson's page and the co-sponsoring of the majority of legislation in the Democratic platform's "When Women Succeed, America Succeeds", and the largest district event for the economic agenda. Allison also drafted and introduced major bipartisan legislation in the 113th Congress, the Medicare Telehealthy Parity Act (H.R 5380).

Finally, Allison made her way into her current position as Director of Strategic Planning and Research at Audrey Shepphard Women's Health Consulting-- a boutique firm specializing in fulfilling unmet needs in women's health. The firm utilizes innovative pharmaceutical and medical devices in order to alleviate conditions and diseases. Allison herself works as the liaison between the company and advocacy/health professional communities in order to help improve care. She organizes, coordinates, and helps to implement meetings and political events to cultivate relationships between and among different audiences.

Portrait of Allison Ivie