7 November 2025
Karen Pienaar appointed Chief Executive Officer of LLL
The Board is pleased to announce Karen Pienaar as Chief Executive Officer of LLL.
Karen is an outstanding leader who is deeply committed and well known to LLL. Three months ago, she took leave from the Board to become Interim CEO. She embraced the role with great determination to understand every aspect of LLL at an operational level, how we serve our customers and our mission.
Karen has taken the time to meet many of our supporters and under her interim leadership, our future strategic direction is already being implemented. She is keen to progress this work.
Karen brings deep expertise in financial governance, having marked seven years on the LLL Board. She 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 St 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 was received for the position and the Board was unanimous in its decision to appoint Karen, who is the first woman to be CEO of LLL. We fully support her as she embarks on LLL's next chapter of growth.
With this appointment, Karen will not be rejoining the Board and we will recruit another Director in due course.
Please join me in welcoming Karen as Chief Executive Officer.
We give thanks to God for He has called Karen to this role and for His continued blessing of LLL.
Steve Podlich
Chair, LLL Board of Directors