The Happy to Chat Bench is funded by The Happy to Chat Project, an organization founded by Ken Waitz to address the isolation epidemic and foster social connection in our communities.

After retiring from a successful career on Wall Street, Ken continues to focus on social impact causes. In addition to the “Happy to Chat” Bench project, he is the chairman or founder of several nonprofits including The LC Initiative and 1in6 Support—organizations focused on community connection, pro bono coaching and disability advocacy. He was recently selected to serve as an Ambassador for the Foundation for Social Connection, the nation’s leading nonprofit in its field.

Ken is also committed to education and mentoring as a professor on the faculty at Montclair State University.