Gretchen brought a wealth of experience to the field of Human Resources, having dedicated four decades to roles across diverse industries. Most recently, she served as Sr. Director of Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania, where for seven years she guided a team that provided strategic leadership to support the university’s fundraising initiatives. Gretchen’s professional journey extends beyond higher education, with executive HR positions in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including financial services, healthcare, and technology.

Gretchen has always valued experiencing different cultures. She traveled with Biketown Africa to Johannesburg where she worked alongside others to assemble hundreds of bicycles which were donated to support healthcare workers in providing care to patients with HIV and AIDS. Gretchen’s commitment to cross-cultural exchange extended to her home life as well; their family welcomed two European exchange students for an entire year, enriching both the students’ and their own understanding of diverse perspectives.

Gretchen has also dedicated time to community service. She has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including positions on the vestries of two Episcopal churches. Additionally, Gretchen contributed as both a board member and Chair of Open Door Ministries, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting communities for local impact.

Gretchen’s ties to Eastern are deeply rooted. Her father, Robert, was a professor of Social Work, while her mother, Vera, worked as an administrative assistant. To honor her father’s legacy, Gretchen established the Robert Gabriel Ekeland Memorial Scholarship, offering financial aid to students enrolled in Eastern’s newly launched MSW program.

An Eastern alum, Gretchen earned an MS in Nonprofit Management in 2014, complementing an earlier MS in Human Resources Development from Villanova University. Family is central to Gretchen’s life. Her daughter, Elizabeth, graduated from Eastern in 2023 and resides in Denver, Colorado, while her son, Gabriel, lives in central New Jersey with his husband, Adam.

Since retirement, Gretchen enjoys more time traveling, walking, practicing yoga, spending quality time with family and friends, getting lost in a good book, and relaxing with her cat, Hlin.