January 2024 Newsletter

Questions and Answers with Lynette Killen

The Sarah Ralston Foundation is fortunate to have Lynette Killen at the helm. She embodies the skills, experience, knowledge and drive to lead The Sarah Ralston Foundation and make it a powerful force throughout the community of nonprofits that support and enhance the lives of our elders in Philadelphia. How did she arrive here as the Executive Director? What is her lens in advocating for vulnerable older adults? We hope these questions and her answers help you get to know her better.

What attracted you to this field?

Working in the field of aging was an easy decision and choice for me. My extended family during my formative years exhibited respect for elder family members, and by extension, the entire community. I always felt and still feel very comfortable among elders. By default, my first job as a social worker, plopped me in the middle of a population that was mostly aged. I draw inward the wisdom of elders.

Describe an experience that had a profound influence on how you think about advocating for our elders.

The experience that influenced my thinking about advocating for our elders was the planning and organization of a state capital trip for elders advocating for themselves. This model is more powerful than providers advocating for their clients. Elders shared not only stories about their individual experiences, but also about the unintended consequences of policy and regulations.

If you could advise someone considering working with underserved elders, what would you say?

Go for it! The work is very rewarding and the appreciation from underserved elders is heartwarming. The more residents are supported, the more the entire community and neighborhoods benefit. Therefore, your impact goes beyond the individual.

Meet the New Members of our Board of Directors

Alexis Ahiagbe

Alexis Ahiagbe is an administrative professional with experience optimizing productivity, efficiency and service quality. As the Director of Volunteer Services for the Free Library of Philadelphia, she recruits, interviews, onboards and trains volunteers. She is an active member of the Library’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee. Alexis has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from DeVry University, and an MBA in Human Resources from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

“I am excited and to be a part of The Sarah Ralston Foundation Board. I look forward to rolling my sleeves up and getting to work.”

~ Alexis Ahiagbe

Margie DuBrow

Margie DuBrow served as the Director of the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute (NELI) at the Graduate School of Social Work at Bryn Mawr College for 14 years. Margie particularly enjoys working with organizations that are experiencing major systems change.

Prior to her time at NELI, she spent many years as a consultant to nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors. Dr. DuBrow earned her doctoral degree in organizational development from Temple University.

“It is critical that we support innovative service models that help older people live healthier and enriching lives.”

~ Margie DuBrow

Justin Williams

Justin Williams brings a diverse background in foster care, family advocacy, education, and substance abuse prevention. Committed to collaborative progress and thoughtful system improvements, Justin values the learning and growth from his participation in the Family Focused Treatment Association Kinship Committee, the Philadelphia Quality Parenting Initiative Steering Committee, and his service on the Abington Pennsylvania Human Relations Committee.

“My vision is to forge a community that honors and involves older adults, acknowledges their wisdom and contributions, and attentively addresses their wellbeing.”

~ Justin Williams

2023 Impact Report

The Sarah Ralston Foundation was launched in January of 2023 with the mission to support and enhance the quality of life of vulnerable and underserved older adults in Philadelphia County. Check out the impact we made in our inaugural year by visiting our 2023 Impact Report.