On July 25, 2022, The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) crossed an important threshold as it welcomed Andrea Griffith as its first-ever Chief Development Officer (CDO).

For over half a century, TLC has provided innovative education, coaching, counseling, and consulting services to individuals, families, school districts, and universities in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

The creation of a new development office, led by Andrea Griffith, will significantly expand TLC’s capacity to accomplish its mission of transforming lives and communities — one moment, one choice, one connection at a time.

As a member of the senior executive team, Andrea will ensure TLC continues to develop and grow sustainably by cultivating a culture of philanthropy.

To learn more about Andrea and to introduce her to the community, TLC asked a few questions.

TLC: Andrea, we are so excited to have you join our team. What drew you to The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth?  

Andrea: In some ways, TLC brings me full circle. I began my full-time career in education, as the Young Leaders Program Coordinator at the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School (PALCS).

Since then, I have served in progressively more responsible positions for both the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the American Heart Association (AHA) over the past 14 years.

In both organizations, I developed and executed expansive programs, recruited and coached volunteers for large-scale events, and trained and managed teams to carry out multi-million-dollar campaigns.

In every case, I grew the positions and programs entrusted to my care. By the time I left LLS to accept this position, I had become the Territory Campaign Director of Development, where I trained and provided strategic coaching for the Northeast staff overseeing the 40+ annual regional community events.  

As much as I have loved serving in all those capacities, TLC integrates all the things most important to me: family, wellness — including health and fitness, and developing others and myself for leadership and service.

Throughout my career, I have created transformational education experiences for others through community service, and I have always worked for organizations that I personally connect with at a deep level.

With TLC, I can keep doing what I love in development, and bring my passion for wellness, my love for education and leadership, and my heart for families and serving the community — all of it — with me into my work.

TLC: We are looking forward to adding your insights and experience as a guiding voice in our strategic leadership team moving forward. What challenges and goals are you most looking forward to in this new opportunity with The Lincoln Center?

Andrea: It is a rare opportunity to become the first CDO of a 50+ year-old, thriving and growing organization. I’m looking forward to building an integrated, systemic development office from the ground up, and establishing a foundation of funding that will transform the lives of future children and their families. 

My goal is to create an environment of opportunity for more students to come to TLC and thrive in their education, and to help them be better prepared for the next chapter in their lives upon graduation.

Andrea Griffith resides in Conshohocken with her family. She earned an MS in Health Promotion from the University of Delaware and is a member of the American Public Health Association. When she is not working, Andrea most enjoys laughing with and enjoying her family (her husband, 22-month-old daughter and eight-year-old dog), running (lifelong runner), triathlons, and reading.

About The Lincoln Center (TLC)

TLC is a social enterprise company serving the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant management services for school districts and universities. TLC’s programs unite under a common vision to transform lives and communities — one moment, one choice, one connection at a time.

Find out more about The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth.

About the Author

MaryJo Burchard (Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership) is co-founder and principal of Concord Solutions, a Virginia-based consultancy firm focused on helping leaders and organizations thrive while facing major disruption. Concord Solutions offers consulting, coaching, training, research, and keynote speaking surrounding trauma-informed leadership, and assessing and building change readiness, trust, and belonging. To learn more, visit ConcordLeader.com