Our Story
A friendship shaped by family, care,
and shared experience.
Barbara’s Buddies was founded on belief that older adults carry a lifetime of skills, talents, and experiences—and they deserve meaningful ways to share them. Yet as people age, opportunities to connect with others based on shared interests often shrink. Retirement, health changes, or smaller social circles can unintentionally leave older adults feeling less valued, even though they continue to have much to offer.
Our match based model was created to change that. We pair older adults and volunteers through shared interests—such as music, travel, languages, careers —so that older adults can lead with their strengths. These thoughtful matches turn scheduled visits into genuine friendships, where older adults are recognized as teachers, mentors, and contributors. At Barbara’s Buddies, matching isn’t a logistical step. It’s the foundation of purposeful connection, ensuring that every relationship feels natural and reciprocal.
The organization is deeply personal for founders Debby and Karen, longtime friends who were inspired by their mothers—both named Barbara—now in their late 80s. As they age, the desire of the two Barbaras to continue to contribute never faded. Karen and Debby created Barbara’s Buddies to honor that spirit and to ensure that older adults have opportunities to stay engaged, purposeful, and connected.
Professionally, both founders are attorneys. Debby is the founder and senior partner at Cochran Law Group in Tysons, Virginia, assisting individuals, families, and business owners with estate and tax planning. Karen recently retired as Senior Counsel in the Legal Division at the Federal Reserve Board.
Meet Our Executive Director
Jena Olsen has more than twenty years of experience working with older adults, including in the senior living and community services industry. Most recently, she served as the Director of Resident Engagement at The Mather, a life plan community in Tysons VA, where she led a team of professionals to bring a wide variety of wellness programs, transitions support, and community operations to the residents as well as oversaw a Fairfax community senior center. Prior to that, she was the Director of Memory Support at Westminster at Lake Ridge.
In the course of her extensive work, Jena also has launched and managed several memory support programs for seniors, including a start-up social day program. Jena holds a master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology and a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Science. She is also a certified dementia practitioner and trainer.