Our CEO

Our CEO

Karen Knavel

President & Chief Executive Officer

Karen Knavel serves in a dual capacity as Chief Executive Officer for Pathfinder Village as well as for The Kennedy Willis Center on Down Syndrome. She combines a passion for helping and improving the lives of people with disabilities with demonstrated excellence and executive leadership.

Ms. Knavel was appointed in 2024 following a nationwide search. She brings a wealth of strategic, operational, and hands-on experience, having served in varied roles including chief operating officer, director of community relations and housing, staff development specialist, and supported living coordinator. As the former CEO of New Avenues to Independence in Cleveland, Ohio (appointed in 2016), Ms. Knavel led her agency to become a leader in the delivery of services for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) during a transformational era.

A lifetime advocate for people with intellectual disabilities, Ms. Knavel has held leadership roles for over 25 years at non-profit agencies that serve individuals with I/DD. She has served on the Ohio Health Care Association as I/DD Board Chair since 2021, and on the Board of Representatives of ANCOR, the national advocacy group for the I/DD community. She also served as a grant reviewer for the Ohio Department of Education and contributed to research projects for the Social Security Administration and Columbus Children's Hospital.

Ms. Knavel earned a Juris Doctor at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Columbus, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History at Walsh University, North Canton. She is the mother of two adult children and enjoys nature, hiking, and reading.

"My passionate belief that everyone has unique gifts and talents to share informs my work daily and inspires me to continue creating possibilities for people with disabilities."
— Karen Knavel

---