Lena Ziegler serves as the Educational Program Coordinator for the Lung Transplant Foundation. Prior to joining the organization in the fall of 2025, Lena spent a decade in academia and four years as an Assistant Professor teaching research methods, creative writing/memoir, and composition. She holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing from Bowling Green State University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Kentucky University. She is an alumna of AmeriCorps Vista, and has prior professional experience in the nonprofit sector, fundraising, and event coordination.

Lena came to the Lung Transplant Foundation with a special interest in elevating patient voice through educational programming, content, advocacy, and storytelling. Lena works alongside dedicated volunteers to coordinate, “Transplant Talk,” the Lung Transplant Foundation’s monthly educational webinar series, as well as BOS Education Day each November. Lena also develops writing workshops, coordinates patient storytelling campaigns, and draws from the lived experience and expertise of the lung transplant community to develop educational web content. She believes that lived experience is an invaluable source for understanding the current and ongoing needs of the lung transplant community and it is her mission to contribute to the wellbeing of all individuals connected to lung transplant by working alongside of and learning from members of the community.

Lena is a published author and researcher with a passion for uplifting the voices of under-represented individuals. In her free time she enjoys cooking, volunteering, art, and spending time in nature. She lives in Southeast Pennsylvania with her husband.