The Coordinating Center's Karen-Ann Lichtenstein to Step Down

After more than three decades helming The Coordinating Center, the nonprofit’s leader plans to retire.

Over the course of her career as a social worker and disabilities advocate, Karen-Ann Lichtenstein says there’s one case that stands out in her mind.

Twenty-five years ago, she met a family whose child was blind and deaf with other physical disabilities. “They adored this child, but … they were encouraged to put their child in institutional care,” she says. “The family was adamant that they’d care for their daughter at home. Their unwavering advocacy meant she was able live at home with services, together with her family. They had an impact on me because of their commitment to figuring out ways to make it work and include her in the family.”

When retiring in December, Lichtenstein, 66, will leave The Coordinating Center knowing that her involvement with the community care organization over the past 34 years has made a profound difference in the lives of thousands of people across Maryland.

“I am leaving because it is time,” she says. “It is a good time for new and diverse leadership to take the organization to its level of excellence and meaningful work.”

Based in Millersville, the center is the state’s largest nonprofit, independent community care coordination organization. The center – of which Lichtenstein serves as president and CEO — was originally founded to help vulnerable children transition from hospitals and institutions to their family residences.

“We got this grant and worked with Medicaid and children’s services in Maryland to expand the services so little ones could come home,” says Lichtenstein. “Over the years, the little ones grew up, and as they evolved, we evolved. As our population grew and aged, we looked at programs and ways we could support them in partnership with other community providers.”

Today, the center — which is conducting a search for Lichtenstein’s successor — supports people of all ages with complex medical needs and disabilities, and coordinates services that move them from institutions, nursing facilities and hospitals to their homes. The organization has a client base of more than 10,000.

The center offers a wide range of programs and services, including case management, supportive housing, legal assistance and more to enable individuals to live safely, comfortably and as independently as possible.

Lichtenstein says she found her calling in disabilities advocacy within the wider context of social action and civil rights.

“My whole adult career involved the disability community,” Lichtenstein says. “I still love what I do. We’ve gone in new directions to continue to make a difference. Our work ensures that people have equitable access to a meaningful community life.

“I grew up in a Reform Jewish household with Jewish values,” she says. “I’ve always been a person who wants to give back to the community. I believe everyone is equal. People just need different levels of support to live their lives as fully as possible.”

A Philadelphia native who lives in Annapolis, Lichtenstein attended Syracuse University and Uppsala University in Sweden. She earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University.

In 1975, Lichtenstein became the first executive director of a residential services organization that became known as Alternative Living Inc. She worked at ALI until coming to The Coordinating Center.

Lichtenstein started at the center as a health care consultant and health policy analyst in 1984 and was named its president and chief executive officer a decade later. Today, the center employs more than 300 people.

Those who have worked closely with Lichtenstein praise her passion and commitment to people with disabilities, as well as her leadership style.

“Karen-Ann is the definition of true leadership. She maintains a great awareness of self while putting others first,” says Joseph Machicote, a center board member. “She is unapologetically connected to every one of the clients she serves, and because of that passion and set of values has become a true advocate and the voice for the most vulnerable in our society.”

Says Dr. Ed Feinberg, the center’s first board president: “What is so extraordinary is that Karen-Ann is not only an advocate for people, she is also a social entrepreneur and chiefly responsible for the creation of a large, mission-driven organization. She is the moral centerpiece of The Coordinating Center. Through a democratic, collaborative style of leadership, she encourages the staff to do whatever it takes to be of service to their clients and families.”

Lichtenstein will be honored at a retirement celebration on Dec. 10 held at Baltimore Center Stage. Family will be a big part of her retirement — she and her husband , Jimmy Luceno, a best-selling author, have three adult children and two grandchildren. But Lichtenstein also plans to venture outside her comfort zone.

“At nearly 67, I want to experience new adventures while I am still healthy and can hike those mountains and head for exotic travel,” she says. “I also am looking forward to time with family and friends.”

Lichtenstein says she plans to remain committed to social action causes even after retiring.

“We need to open our hearts and intellect to understand that we live in a larger world,” she says. “We have one planet and we are all on that planet together. We need tolerance, open-mindedness and an understanding of where people come from.”

For information about The Coordinating Center, call 410-987-1048 or visit coordinatingcenter.org.

Anna Lippe is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer.