Greetings from Kristen M. Kiefer, Generations United’s New Executive Director
Some of my most meaningful mentors have been in their 90s. Others have been teenagers just beginning their journey. These intergenerational relationships have made me a stronger leader, and a more human one.
It is a profound honor to step into the role of Executive Director at Generations United. This organization’s mission, to bring generations together to build a stronger, more connected society, is not just a professional charge. It is a reflection of the values that have shaped my life and leadership.
I am equally honored to join the exceptional team at Generations United, a group whose expertise, dedication, and creativity have already built a strong foundation for our work. In my first conversations with staff, board members, and partners, I have been struck by the depth of commitment and the genuine care they bring to every project, every program, and every relationship. It is a privilege to stand alongside them as we write our next chapter.
My passion for intergenerational connection is rooted in the example set by my grandparents. Their wisdom, warmth, and steady presence helped shape our family’s foundation. They taught me that family is not defined by structure but by connection, and that every generation holds both the responsibility and the gift of lifting up the others.
That belief has guided my work across many sectors. As a School Board member, I helped launch a program where high school students cared for young children while their parents attended English classes — ensuring that families had access to education and social services in a setting of trust and mutual support. In professional settings, I created opportunities for employees across generations to connect around shared interests, fostering collaboration and empathy. I spearheaded Take Your Children to Work Day, where I introduced aging simulations and visits to senior centers to spark dialogue between young people and older adults.
In each of these experiences, one powerful truth stood out: the magic happens through shared time.
When people of different generations spend intentional, meaningful time together — not simply exchanging services, but being present with one another, transformation occurs. Understanding grows. Trust deepens. Communities thrive. Solutions emerge that no single generation could create alone.
This is especially true for grandfamilies and kinship caregivers, the grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and family friends who step in to raise children when parents cannot. You are the quiet heroes building bridges between generations every single day, often with little recognition and few resources. And to those who support them, from community organizations to policymakers, your partnership makes this care possible. You remind us that strong families make strong communities.
That is the promise of Generations United and the work I’m thrilled to lead. We are designing systems and shaping stories that honor the full arc of life. We’re building a future where no one grows up or grows old alone. A future made possible not just through programs and policies, but through the everyday moments of care and connection that bind us across time.
To all who have supported our mission: thank you. Whether you’re a kinship caregiver, a program leader, an advocate, a policymaker, or a donor, your belief in the power of shared time is what moves this work forward.
I look forward to building what’s next together.
With gratitude and resolve,
Kristen M. Kiefer
Executive Director
Generations United
Learn more about Kristen.
