Patricia D. Wellenbach is a dynamic nonprofit and civic leader, widely recognized for her transformative impact as board chair of Jefferson and president and CEO of the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.
Ms. Wellenbach was born in New Jersey, the eldest of five children to Irish Catholic parents. After earning her nursing degree from Boston College, she began her career as a registered nurse and clinical instructor in obstetrics at Pennsylvania Hospital.
From 2015-2025, Ms. Wellenbach was president and CEO of Please Touch Museum, leading the venerable (and fun!) institution through a period of ambitious vision and revitalization. Under her leadership, Please Touch was consistently ranked as a Top 10 children’s museum in the U.S. and recognized for its groundbreaking exhibits and programs.
In 2021, Ms. Wellenbach made history as both the first woman and the first nurse to chair Jefferson’s Board of Trustees. During her remarkable tenure, she helped guide Jefferson through a time of extraordinary transformation, which included governing during the pandemic as well as leading the search for a new CEO in 2022. Her leadership was instrumental in opening the Honickman Center, marking the institution’s bicentennial anniversary, and signing a definitive agreement for Lehigh Valley Health Network to join Jefferson Health. She demonstrated steadfast support for Jefferson’s mission through her personal generosity and active involvement in a range of events, including the annual Jefferson Gala, the Palm Beach keynote presentation, and numerous investitures and academic ceremonies before stepping down as chair on June 30, 2025.
Before joining Please Touch, Ms. Wellenbach led several community-oriented institutions. She served as CEO of Green Tree School & Services, which supports youth with autism and emotional disabilities, and was founder and president of Sandcastle Strategy Group LLC, a management consulting firm focused on healthcare and nonprofit clients. She was also executive director of The Wellness Community of Philadelphia.
She was recently appointed as the Chief Strategy and Partnership Officer for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. Additionally, she remains active in leadership circles, including the National Association of Corporate Directors, Women Corporate Directors, and McKinsey’s Advancing with Excellence Advisory Board.
Her recognitions and honors include the City and State Trailblazer in Health Award, a Fellowship in the College of Physicians, the Women of Tomorrow Distinguished Leader award, the Girl Scouts “Take the Lead” award, the St. Francis Medallion, and the Benjamin Rush Award from the Philadelphia Medical Society.