At Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, staff are committed to the organization's mission to help provide life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. 

Karen Traten, Senior Director of Development Operations, has exemplified the tireless dedication that the organization embodies over the past 25 years she has served in the chapter.

Her passion for development spans further back than her involvement with Make-A-Wish, as she established her career in development in the visual and performing arts space through Moore College of Art & Design and the Philadelphia Orchestra. One day, she saw an advertisement in a newsletter for a fundraising position at Make-A-Wish.

In 1998, Traten became just the fourth full-time staff member and the first development member of the chapter. 

“I felt that the time was right to take on this new opportunity to build out a program,” said Traten.

At the time of her arrival, the chapter granted an average of 60-70 wishes a year. Traten took the initiative to drive the organization’s public relations and marketing efforts to increase the organization's visibility and reach as well as develop a systematic fundraising program. 

“It was a great feeling to be a part of a small team that was building a space for Make-A-Wish in the community,” said Traten.

Today, her contributions have built the organization into one that grants hundreds of wishes a year, providing more hope and joy to children and families.

These wishes would not be possible without the relationships fostered in the organization, which Traten is responsible for building and strengthening. 

Through well-developed and thoughtful planning, Traten engages partners to strengthen connections and drive contributions.

Through networking at events and board meetings, donor engagement, grassroots marketing efforts, and community outreach, Traten’s efforts have expanded support for the mission.

“Opportunities eventually grow into six figures with stewardship and relationships,” said Traten.

Throughout her time at Make-A-Wish, Traten has been inspired by stories of countless wishes. While each wish is unique and special, the ones that touch her the most are the ones when kids wish to give back.

“There are kids like Mary who wanted to support cancer patients through a Lilly Pulitzer cause campaign and Quincy who donated more comfortable chairs at Nemours for kids receiving cancer treatment. I think these wish recipients are remarkable,” said Traten. 

A wish she saw come to life firsthand was for a teen named Yangzi, who lost his leg while battling cancer. Yangzi was involved in sports before he lost his leg and he wished for a running blade.

“I was there to witness when he had his running blade fitted and we all went outside, and he started to run immediately. It was just an amazing experience to see him use this special running blade,” said Traten.

Over the years, Traten has been part of the organization’s many milestones, from the 1,000th wish to the 8,000th.

In addition, the physical expansion of the chapter over the years is something she has proudly seen grow.

“There were milestones of adding territory,” said Traten. “When I started, we were just the Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter. We had the five counties surrounding Philadelphia, then we added the Susquehanna Valley, and years later we added New Castle County, Delaware, and then the entire state of Delaware.”

In addition to her job responsibilities at the organization, Traten is also a volunteer. In this role, she can connect personally with the families in the organization. “I enjoy the process of finding out what a child's wish is and meeting the family,” said Traten.

She is able to meet many families at fundraising events, hear how Make-A-Wish has impacted their lives, connect sponsors to families, and in turn give families a platform through these sponsors to share their stories.

 The exciting part is sharing the wish story with our supporters after the wish is granted. That's what keeps everyone engaged in our mission, the sharing of stories,” said Traten.

Traten has shown unwavering devotion in her 25 years in the organization.

“If you really feel passionate about what you're doing and supporting people in a humanitarian way, you feel an attachment to that,” Traten said.

Each day, she serves as a treasured member at Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley.

Her efforts over the years have built the team into what it is today and she will continue to passionately serve the chapter that she has built better than she found it.

“My emotions are just feelings of wonderment that I've been able to be a part of this organization for 25 years,” said Traten.