LLL welcomes CEO Karen Pienaar

LLL has welcomed Karen Pienaar as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Karen is an outstanding leader who is deeply committed and well known to LLL having been a Board Director for the past seven years.

In August, she took leave from the Board to become Interim CEO following the resignation of Ross Smith, and embraced the role with great determination to understand every aspect of LLL at an operational level, how we serve our customers, and our mission.

Under her interim leadership, our future strategic direction was already being implemented and will continue under her guidance.

“I am absolutely delighted to be appointed the sixth CEO of LLL in the storied history of this wonderful organisation,” Karen said.

“During my time as interim CEO, I travelled to many states and cities meeting with the people of the Church and worshipping with you in service. I’ve been humbled by the warm embrace I have felt from all members of our community.

“I am thrilled by the opportunity to lead LLL into this next exciting chapter and look forward to continuing to serve you and our wider community.”

Karen brings deep expertise in financial governance, specialises in strategy and risk management, with particular strengths in group financial reporting, profitability analysis and forecasting. An accomplished C-suite executive, she has worked across transport, aviation and not-for-profit sectors.

Karen has a special interest in fostering leadership and development within mission-driven faith-based organisations. She is deeply committed to values-based governance and her collaborative style fosters strong and interconnected relationships across the executive and with the Board.

A devoted Lutheran who regularly worships at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Flinders Street Adelaide, Karen’s faith guides her core values of compassion, empathy and dedication. She looks forward to continuing and growing LLL’s strong support of the Lutheran Church.

Karen is passionate about forming deep connections with our customers to truly understand their financial needs aligned with their missional goals and ensuring LLL is agile in responding.

A strong field of local and interstate applicants applied for the position and the Board was unanimous in its decision to appoint Karen, who is the first woman to be CEO of LLL.

With this appointment, Karen will not be rejoining the Board, and we will recruit another Director in due course.