Lynette M. Killen

Executive Director, Ralston Center

Lynette Killen brings a career of leadership, service and advocacy for older people to Ralston Center, where she became Executive Director in March 2018. Previously she was CEO of Chandler Hall Health Services, a long-term-care residential community and hospice in Newtown, Pa., for 14 years; administrator for geriatrics at Albert Einstein Medical Center, a teaching hospital in Philadelphia, for 11 years; and director or assistant director of social work at two other Philadelphia hospitals. She has consulted in the aging and social services field and advised Trumbower Hospital Foundation on philanthropic matters. Lynette holds three master’s degrees: in social work, from West Virginia University; in business administration, from Widener University; and in aging services, from the University of Baltimore, Erickson School. Among many volunteer governance roles, Lynette has chaired the board of Philadelphia Senior Center and currently chairs the advisory council of the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging.

lkillen@ralstoncenter.org

Full bio

Eric Wilden

Executive Director, Ralston My Way

Eric Wilden, Executive Director of Ralston My Way since 2012.  Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and English from Ursinus College in 1992 and lived in Salt Lake City for 10 years, where he started his nonprofit career with environmental and conservation groups, and in fundraising at the University of Utah. Later he enrolled at Boulder Colorado’s Naropa University, founded by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 2003.  After graduation he moved to Philadelphia where he worked for Clean Water Action and the Neighborhood Interfaith Movement (NIM) before joining Ralston My Way.

ewilden@ralstonmyway.org

Jean Papaj

Director of Communications and Marketing

Jean joined Ralston Center in 2014 to implement a new branding strategy and create successful print and digital communications to support current and emerging programs. She received her MBA from SUNY Buffalo and is a communications, marketing and sales professional with over 30 years experience in entrepreneurial, for profit and nonprofit organizations in health care, education and information. Jean also serves as a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty in the areas of management, marketing, communications and public relations.

jpapaj@ralstoncenter.org

Jennifer Russell

Director of Programs

Jennifer oversees coordination and administration of existing and emerging Ralston Center programs.  She has a longstanding personal commitment to serving the needs of older adults.  Prior to Ralston Center, Jennifer worked as an attorney with SeniorLAW Center and Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, where she provided direct legal services to seniors facing a variety of legal issues and conducted community education, outreach, and advocacy.  Her work has included representing seniors facing homelessness through eviction or foreclosure, grandparents raising their grandchildren, and protecting the rights of older adults in guardianship and protective services proceedings.  Jennifer has a J.D. from Temple University, Beasley School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.

jrussell@ralstoncenter.org

Robert Whitehead

Development Consultant

Robert Whitehead is a Development Consultant for Ralston Center. He has been a development and operations consultant for Media Impact Funders; Development Manager for Philly Youth Poetry Movement; Development Associate in Grants at BRIC in Brooklyn; Development Associate for the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and served as Creative Manager for Rebekah Erev Studios.

A graduate of Ursinus College (BA, English) and Washington University in St. Louis (MFA, Concentration in Poetry), Robert is a creative writer and poet.

rwhitehead@ralstoncenter.org