The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is presenting Frances M Sheehan, president of The Foundation for Delaware County, with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chamber’s Annual Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Drexelbrook Catering & Corporate Events Center.
This prestigious award recognizes an individual whose lifelong dedication to family, community, and professional excellence has left a lasting impact on Delaware County.
Frances Sheehan exemplifies these values through decades of visionary leadership and public service.
As the first president of The Foundation for Delaware County, she has been instrumental in advancing public health initiatives, building nonprofit capacity, and strengthening communities across the region.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the Chamber’s highest individual honor, recognizing extraordinary commitment to family, community, and profession.
Frances Sheehan embodies these values through a distinguished career of service, innovation, and advocacy in the nonprofit and public health sectors.
The Foundation for Delaware County is the county’s largest philanthropic organization. Since joining as its first President in 2017, she has overseen the Foundation’s development into a regionally respected institution, managing over 75 staff across four offices.
Under her leadership, the Foundation has made significant investments in community health and equity through programs such as Nurse-Family Partnership, Healthy Start, and WIC, and has earned accreditation from the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, and GuideStar’s Platinum status.
Before her tenure at the Foundation, Sheehan served for 15 years as the founding president and CEO of the Brandywine Health Foundation (now the Alliance for Health Equity) in Coatesville, Chester County, where she launched health initiatives and strengthened nonprofit services in one of the state’s most economically challenged cities.
Her earlier work includes leading Planned Parenthood of Chester County and serving on numerous regional and statewide nonprofit boards.
Sheehan is also a respected thought leader in philanthropy and civic engagement.
She has served as president of the Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia and currently serves on the boards of the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board, the Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County, and the Delaware County Interactive Gaming Revenue Authority (DCIGRA).
A graduate of Wesleyan University and Temple University’s MBA program, Sheehan holds credentials as a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP).
Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Main Line Chamber of Commerce’s Gold Leaf Award, March of Dimes Woman of Achievement, and Robert J. Thompson Citizen of the Year Award. In 2024, she was named one of Philadelphia’s Titan 100.
“Frances Sheehan’s lifelong dedication to advancing the well-being of others makes her a deeply deserving recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Trish McFarland, president of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. “Her leadership has strengthened Delaware County in countless ways, and we are proud to celebrate her impact.”
Sheehan has lived in Swarthmore for 35 years with her husband, Dr. Ricardo Gelman, a retired emergency physician from Penn Medicine – Chester County Hospital. They are the proud parents of two grown children and grandparents to three.
The Annual Membership Luncheon is a signature event for the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, bringing together local businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders to celebrate a year of collaboration, service, and growth.
The Annual Membership Luncheon takes place from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at Drexelbrook Catering & Corporate Events Center, Drexelbrook Drive, and Valley Road in Drexel Hill.
Register here.
Cost is $60 for members, $75 for non-members.
In addition to the presentation to Frances Sheehan, there will a Year in Review, recognition of the Leadership of Delaware County—Class of 2024, Key Volunteer Acknowledgements an d Recognition of Outgoing Board Members.
The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization that drives business forward in our community through connection, education, and advocacy.
