About Us

Mission: Ken’s Krew provides job placement, training, and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities in competitive employment.

Our History

1997

Ken’s Krew began in 1997 as the pioneering vision of a group of parents and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Concerned that their children would find it difficult to obtain satisfactory employment, the parents explored various solutions to this problem.

Home Depot becomes Founding Sponsor

Soon after, Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone stepped in with an offer to provide opportunities for employment at The Home Depot in Philadelphia for individuals whose abilities and skills matched Home Depot's job needs. With this offer, the parents launched the pilot program and named it "Ken's Kids" in honor of Ken Langone. They pledged to provide the assessment, training, and support that would be needed for their placements to be successful.

Financial support from Mr. Langone and others enabled the program to hire full-time vocational coaches to train and monitor participants throughout their employment experience. Parents Michael and Connie Solomon and Karen LaPera directed the development of the program model, which has proven to be a winning formula for workplace success for people with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

2008

The Home Depot Foundation announced a 3 year, $1M grant to support expansion of the Ken’s Krew program. This $1M grant was matched by Ken Langone, who also gave an additional $250,000 to the organization through his retiring director charitable donation package.

2020

Over the past 21 years, Ken’s Krew has assisted over 830 individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities in their transition from students to valued, productive, and proud employees. The efforts of these individuals, along with their parents, vocational coaches, and the management and associates of their stores, have enabled them to succeed in the workplace and to live more independent and fulfilling lives. 

Today, Ken’s Krew operates in 9 states and 150+ Home Depot stores and our program has become so efficient, appreciated, and successful that we’re adding NEW employment partners all the time.

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Meet The Ken's Krew Team

Ken’s Krew delivers a differentiated approach to providing employment opportunities to individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Ken’s Krew staff works with individuals, their families, employers, and local communities to ensure success and are responsible for the operations of the organization. 

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Terri Neipert

Executive Director

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Karen LaPera

Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder

The Ken’s Krew Vocational Coordinators are responsible for one-on-one intensive training, job matching, and continuous education to the individuals and are responsible for supporting the store management teams with training and strategies for working with individuals with disabilities. 

The Ken’s Krew Board of Directors are a group of passionate leaders helping to steer the direction of the organization. 

Board Of Trustees

Christopher Berg

The Home Depot

President, Western Division

 

Greg Bourdon

PLZ Corp.

President, Specialty Solutions 

 

Suzanne Goldberger (Board Chair)

Gladwyne Partners

Managing Principal

Pamela Goldman                                              

Invemed Associates

Vice President

 

Julie Kuiken

Retired

 

Paul Mascarenhas

Patient Square Capital

Health Care Investor

 

Rosemarie Rodriguez

The Home Depot

Vice President, Rental

 

Michael Solomon                                                              

Gladwyne Partners

Managing Principal

Corporate Advisory Board

Jason A. Brehm

The Home Depot

Store Manager, GA

Michael Eberz
The Home Depot
Store Manager, Michigan

Eneka David

The Home Depot

District Human Resources Manager, NY Metro

Robert Roselli
The Home Depot
Store Manager PA

Pam Jarvis

The Home Depot

Territory Operations Manager SFL and PR

Awards & Recognitions

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Partner In Education Award

New York

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Harford Employment Recognition

Maryland

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Disability Employer of the Year

Florida

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State Senate Honoree

New York

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Platinum Seal of Transparency

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Sponsors

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Founding Sponsor

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