Dr. Lolita Allen

Director, Military Community Advocacy (MCA) programs

Dr. Lolita Allen is the Director, Military Community Advocacy (MCA) programs for the Department of War. As Director, she provides leadership, management, and oversight of congressionally mandated programs and policies focused on preventing, intervening in, and responding to domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, and problematic and harmful behaviors between children and youth. Her portfolio spans more than 250 military installations, where she champions coordinated, prevention-focused efforts to strengthen military families and safeguard force readiness.

Dr. Allen brings over 27 years of experience supporting military families across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. She began her career in 1996 as a graduate intern at Navy Base Anacostia and has since held multiple clinical and leadership roles in the Family Advocacy Program and related areas of prevention and intervention, at the installation and headquarters level. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing trauma-informed care, building resilient communities, and shaping policy that centers the well-being of Service members and their families.

Prior to joining MCA Directorate two years ago, she served as the Counseling, Advocacy and Prevention Program Manager (CAP) for Headquarters Navy, Commander Navy Installation Command (CNIC). In that position she served as the technical expert and principal advisor to CNIC and was directly responsible for the execution of policy for CAP programs across 81 Navy installations.

She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the states of Virginia and Georgia. Dr. Allen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University, her Master of Social Work degree from the Howard University School of Social Work, and her Doctorate from University of Southern California, Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.