The Tennessee Volunteer Region of the American Red Cross announced today Laura Allen has been promoted from chief development officer for the State of Tennessee to associate vice president with the national office and will oversee Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

Allen (on left in photo) will continue her fundraising work with corporations, foundations and individuals, according to  Joel Sullivan, CEO for the Tennessee Volunteer Region. She will also develop a four-state divisional fundraising plan to pre-position resources that will enable the Red Cross to prepare for future disasters across state lines.  Under her leadership, the Tennessee Volunteer Region and Nashville Area Chapter increased gift and grant revenue by more than $1.5 million.

In a related move, Wendy Buntin has joined the nonprofit as regional chief development officer.

Buntin comes to the American Red Cross after having most recently worked as director of philanthropy at The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee.  During her tenure, the conservancy completed the first and largest private campaign for conservation in the state, raising $13 million. 

A graduate of the University of the South with a postgraduate degree from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, Buntin has also worked in development at the Darlington School in Rome, Ga., and with Rotary International.