Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
New leader for senior community appointed
West Chester’s Hickman Friends appoints its 19th executive director
WEST CHESTER » The Hickman Friends Senior Community of West Chester has named a new executive director. Jennifer Karsten has been appointed the 19th executive director of the personal care community for seniors, located at 400 N. Walnut St. in West Chester. Karsten is a graduate of McGill University and has served in nonprofit executive and board member roles in the region throughout most of her career, according to a news release.
Most recently, she was director at Pendle Hill, a Quaker study and retreat center in Wallingford. While there, she led the organization through a range of strategic initiatives including a campus master planning process, expansion, a capital campaign, financial and programmatic repositioning and improved conditions across all yearly benchmarks.
Karsten has developed an interest, over the past few years, in senior care and understanding the evolving needs of seniors — and their family members — “in the transition to a meaningful, engaging, and inclusive senior community,” the release stated.
As Karsten settles in to her new role, she is looking for feedback and questions from the community about The Hickman Friends Senior Community of West Chester, which can be emailed to: jkarsten@thehickman.org, with the subject: Vision for Senior Living.
The Hickman Friends Senior Community was founded in 1891 by Lydia Hall and Sallie Sharpless and provides accommodations for seniors in West Chester. Led by Quaker traditions and principles, The Hickman, provides individualized care and assistance to older adults who seek a “safe and affordable living environment,” according to The Hickman’s website.
Jennifer Karsten is a graduate of McGill University and has served in nonprofit executive and board member roles in the region throughout most of her career.