Kathryn Westland of Santa Barbara has been appointed as the new executive director at Friendship Center. She brings experience, passion and innovative vision to her work in the senior care space.
Westland, who previously served as the Friendship Center’s Program manager, said she is excited to serve the organization as executive director.
While at Friendship Center, Westland oversaw a program to accommodate the unique interests, abilities and life stories of the attending members.
She led the organization’s transition to a virtual programming model in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and collaborated with several organizations, locally and beyond, to continue engaging isolated seniors along the Central Coast.
Westland said she looks forward to supporting Friendship Center’s capacity to grow in a multitude of ways and is eager to work with its dedicated staff.
“I am grateful to have been able to work closely with and be mentored by Heidi Holly [former executive director] for many years, which increases my confidence for this collaborative transition,” Westland said.
Having spent 13 years living with a loved one who had dementia, Westland has been dedicated to discovering ways to support the aging community.
Raised in Pasadena, California, Westland holds an undergraduate degree from University of St. Andrews, Scotland and master’s degree in public health from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Throughout her academic and professional career, she has been interested in models of care that empower older adults to comfortably age-in-place. This interest led her to Friendship Center in 2017, when she became the organization’s dedicated program manager until transitioning to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2021.
At the Alzheimer’s Association, Westland served as the Central Coast’s director of programs and was responsible for the design and coordination of the organization’s care and support programs, reaching some 3,000 families annually.
“Kathryn is the ideal match to lead the next chapter of the Friendship Center’s growth and impact in our community,” said Cynder Sinclair, board chair of Friendship Center. “Her passion for and creative approach to senior care along with her outstanding background and skill set is sure to forge an exciting path for the future of Friendship Center.”