Kelly Kerner

Kelly Kerner is the President and Chief Philanthropy Officer of the Piedmont Healthcare Foundation. In his role, Kelly leads and coordinates efforts among all philanthropic programs at Piedmont Healthcare and positions philanthropy as an important and functional part of its culture. With more than 30 years of expertise in nonprofit fundraising, Kelly serves as a member of the Piedmont Leadership Team, providing counsel to System Leaders and Foundation Leads regarding the system's vision, strategic plans, and philanthropy operations.

Prior to joining Piedmont in 2023, Kerner served as vice president for development and alumni relations and as executive director of the University of Georgia Foundation. At UGA, he worked with the university president to set the university's philanthropic objectives for increasing the endowment and annual support and strengthening relationships with the university's top donor prospects. He also served as the primary contact with the university's board of trustees and oversaw a team of more than 250 development/alumni relations professionals and support staff. His tenure at UGA began in 2014. Before joining UGA, Kerner served in various roles in development offices at small colleges in the Northeast.

Kerner received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder. He resides in Atlanta and Athens, Ga., and recharges by traveling with his wife and two adult children, fly fishing, and serving in his community. Among his volunteer roles, Kerner served on the Classic City Church Board of Deacons and, from 2009 to 2014, served as a parent leader of Boy Scout Troop 35 in Yarmouth, Maine.