Karri Gerdemann is a strong, experienced business and healthcare leader. She has led Pillar since 2020 as Executive Director where she was named Most Admired CEO by Business First in 2022. Under Karri’s leadership, Pillar paid off all debt including 17 home mortgages, was selected for a CHAMP award from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, won the 2023 BBB Torch Ethics Award, and received a two-year state accreditation from DDID (Division of Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities) and KHC (Kentucky Housing Corporation) due to the excellence of the organization. In 2024 Karri and her team opened their fourth day program in underserved West Louisville. Karri is one of eight mentors for the Kentucky Counseling Association and serves as the Oldham County representative on KIPDA (Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency).

Prior to Pillar, Karri served as Clinical Director at Maryhurst and was an entrepreneur who started Kentucky’s largest children’s entertainment center.

Karri is now focused on future growth creating additional affordable housing options for people with disabilities at Pillar.