Friendship Center Names Jeffrey Krutzsch Board President

The Santa Barbara dementia day services nonprofit also added three new directors to its board in July 2026.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in People

Friendship Center Names Jeffrey Krutzsch Board President

Friendship Center, a nonprofit providing adult day services for older adults living with dementia, appointed Jeffrey Krutzsch as Board President in July 2026. The organization also added three new directors, Kimberly Kiefer, Noelle Buben and Shianne Motter, as it marks 50 years of serving Santa Barbara.

Why it matters

The leadership changes place a longtime board member with more than 35 years of executive experience in senior housing, healthcare and hospitality at the helm during the organization's 50th anniversary. The new directors broaden the board's expertise in recreation, marketing and event management.

Krutzsch brings more than 35 years of executive leadership, and the three new directors add 33 years in recreation and community engagement and 20 years in marketing and event management. The release does not specify budget figures or service capacity under the new board.

The players

Friendship Center

A Santa Barbara nonprofit founded in 1976 that provides adult day services for older adults living with dementia and is marking 50 years of service.

Jeffrey Krutzsch

A longtime Friendship Center board member and former Treasurer with more than 35 years of executive leadership experience in senior housing, healthcare and hospitality.

Kimberly Kiefer

A new Friendship Center director with 33 years of experience in recreation and community engagement, who serves as General Manager of the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District.

The details

Krutzsch, who joined the board in 2020 and previously served as Treasurer and committee chair, now leads the board and chairs its Strategic Research Committee. He also leads a family caregiver support group at Friendship Center. The appointments were announced in a press release and took effect in July 2026.

February 2020: Kimberly Kiefer became General Manager of Isla Vista Recreation and Park District.
2020: Jeffrey Krutzsch joined the Friendship Center Board.
1976: Friendship Center was founded.
July 2026: Krutzsch was appointed Board President and three new directors joined the board.
November 6, 2026: A press release announcing the board leadership changes was published.

Industry Context

Adult day services have become an important community alternative to residential memory care for families caring for loved ones with dementia. Friendship Center's leadership change brings senior housing and healthcare operations expertise to a nonprofit serving that model locally.

For families in Santa Barbara caring for a loved one with dementia, the board changes do not alter current adult day service access. The leadership update signals continuity and new expertise at a local provider serving that need.

The takeaway

Strong nonprofit boards combine mission experience with operational expertise, and Friendship Center's new leadership reflects that balance as it enters its second half-century. Families seeking dementia support can review what adult day programs offer in their area.