About Us
Get to know the people, purpose, and history behind our commitment to aging in place.
Who We Are
Friends Life Care is an aging-in-place membership program that helps older adults stay independent through a focus on prevention, holistic wellbeing, and financial security. As part of Friends Life Care Partners, we bring decades of expertise in helping people stay home as they age.
Friends Life Care Partners also includes Friends Life Care Consultants (FLCC), which works with Life Plan Communities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities, and long-term care insurers to develop and strengthen Continuing Care at Home programs nationwide.
Our Mission
To advance long-term wellness for older adults through innovative solutions that support aging in place and foster independence.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Friends Life Care is committed to building meaningful, respectful relationships with our members, staff, providers, and community.
Our DEIB task force ensures that our policies, culture, and services reflect our dedication to equity, inclusion, and belonging. We strive to create spaces where all voices are welcomed, supported, and heard.
Our History
Friends Life Care was founded by two Pennsylvania Quaker organizations, Jeanes Health System and Foulkeways, who shared a vision for helping older adults remain in their homes as they age. With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts, they created the nation’s first Continuing Care at Home program: an affordable, innovative alternative to traditional retirement communities.
We began serving members in 1990 and have since supported more than 6,000 individuals across the region. Today, we continue to lead this field as a nonprofit guided by Quaker values and a commitment to inclusivity for all.
“From the beginning, we saw how often people were forced to make major aging decisions during a crisis. We believed there had to be a better way. When people plan ahead and have the right support in place, they can stay independent and focus on living well, rather than worrying about what comes next.”
Joe Conner, President/CEO of Friends Life Care Partners
Meet Our Team
Our team is committed to caring for people with dignity and compassion. We take the time to truly get to know our members so we can offer guidance that grows with them.
MANAGEMENT
Kathy Barton
Corporate Controller
Jayne Carter, PHR
Senior Director of HR & Administration
WELLNESS & CARE COORDINATION
MEMBERSHIP NAVIGATION
Board of Directors
Friends Life Care is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of directors, the majority of whom must be members of the Religious Society of Friends “Quakers”*.
The Friends Life Care Partners board is appointed annually and may include emeritus directors. Below is an overview of the board members serving Friends Life Care Partners and its subsidiaries.
J. Timothy Bak is an attorney admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and California and is the principal of Bak Law. He brings professional experience in private legal practice along with a longstanding commitment to community service. Tim is a lifelong member of Chester Friends Meeting and comes from a multigenerational Quaker family with deep involvement in meeting leadership and civic engagement. He has played leadership roles in community‑based and nonprofit initiatives, particularly those supporting neurodiverse individuals and families, reflecting a sustained commitment to service, inclusion, and community well‑being. FLCP & FLC.
James Bodine has more than 35 years of experience in investment banking and financial advisory services, specializing in senior living, healthcare, and human services organizations. He is Executive Vice President at HJ Sims, where he focuses on complex financing structures and strategic advisory services. Jim holds a B.S. in Economics and an M.B.A. in Finance from The Wharton School. FLC.
Joan Countryman served as Head of Lincoln School in Providence, RI for 12 years before retiring in 2005. She later became the Founding Head of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa and led Atlanta Girls’ School, following a long academic career at Germantown Friends School. She holds degrees from Sarah Lawrence College and Yale University and was a Fulbright Scholar at the London School of Economics. FLCP & FLC.
Gabriel Ehri is Chair of the Friends Life Care Partners board and Executive Director of Friends Publishing Corporation, publishers of Friends Journal and QuakerSpeak. He has over 15 years of experience in digital media and nonprofit leadership, including leading major digital transformations and a successful capital campaign. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Haverford College and a certificate in nonprofit management from LaSalle University. FLCP & FLC.
Keith (KC) Goodman is a retired IBM Distinguished Engineer and former global Chief Technology Officer of the IBM IT Strategy Consulting business, bringing extensive senior leadership experience in technology, strategic planning, and organizational management. A long‑time Quaker, KC is a resident of the Riverfront Friends community and an active member of the Friends Life Care community. His commitment to service is reflected in sustained involvement with faith‑based and community organizations. KC has relevant board experience as a member of the boards of Friends Center City Retirement Community (FCCRC) and the 22 Front Street Condominium Association, and previously served on the board of Big Brother/Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley. He is a graduate of Haverford College, where he embraced Quakerism, and earned his MBA from La Salle University. FLCP & FLC.
Sally Harrison is retired from Bryn Mawr College, where she served as Senior Philanthropic Advisor, and previously held leadership roles with the American Friends Service Committee. She is President of Historic Fair Hill and serves on several nonprofit boards, including Friends Center City. Sally holds a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College. FLCP & FLC.
Eliot Ingram is an education technology entrepreneur and long‑time Quaker with extensive experience building and leading mission‑driven organizations. He is the founder of Clear Admit, an education technology platform that helps MBA applicants identify the right programs and enables business schools to reach strong candidates. Under his leadership, Clear Admit grew into a leading global resource within graduate management education. Eliot brings experience in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and stakeholder engagement. He has been an active member of the Monthly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia for more than two decades, including service as Co‑Clerk of the finance committee, and has served on the boards of Friends Select School and the Friends Rehabilitation Program. FLCP & FLC.
Paula Nangle is President and Senior Wealth Advisor at Marshall Financial with more than 15 years of experience in financial services. A Certified Financial Planner™, she has also taught financial planning and wealth management at New York University. Paula holds degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Florida, an MBA from NYU, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from NYU. FLCP & FLC.
Carrie Robinson is AVP of Human Resources and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Pierce College, with more than 10 years of HR experience. She is a trusted advisor with expertise across talent management, employee engagement, and organizational development. Carrie holds degrees from Temple University and Villanova University and is a Certified Diversity Professional. FLCP.
Larry Zook is President and CEO of Landis Homes Retirement Community and oversees the broader Landis Communities network serving seniors across Lancaster County. He brings extensive leadership experience in senior living and holds an MBA from Eastern College, along with a Pennsylvania Nursing Home Administrator license. Larry serves on multiple industry boards, including Anabaptist Providers Group. FLCP & FLC.
*This individual is either a member or an active attendee of the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) Meeting.
FLCP: this individual is a board member of Friends Life Care Partners.
FLC: this individual is a board member of Friends Life Care.
Consulting Services
VigR Health is the for-profit arm of Friends Life Care Partners, extending our decades of experience as pioneers in the Continuing Care at Home model.
We bring proven expertise to Long-Term Care Insurance carriers and Senior Living providers, helping reduce and shorten claims, improve policyholder satisfaction, and enhance wellness through evidence-based assessments, interventions, and predictive technology.
