Welcoming Our New Executive Director

Keith Deisner is a St. Louis native with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and strategic fundraising. He has dedicated his career to supporting organizations that serve unhoused and vulnerable neighbors in both St. Louis and New York.

As Development Director and Grant Writer at Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson, NY, Keith led initiatives across ten programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, and recovery. Earlier in his career, he coordinated a volunteer fundraising effort at Peter & Paul Community Services to help transform an abandoned school in St. Louis’s Benton Park West neighborhood into Garfield Commons, providing permanent housing for 24 formerly homeless men and women.

Keith also brings a creative spirit to his work. He leads Str8Ahead, a volunteer nonprofit that performs straight-ahead jazz for nontraditional audiences — an initiative born from his participation in the Regional Arts Commission’s Community Arts Training program.

The Executive Director role at Assisi House marks an exciting new chapter for Keith and for us. His goal is to apply his experience in development, community partnership, and strategic growth to strengthen and expand the Assisi House model.

We are excited to have Keith leading the next phase of our mission to provide housing and hope for our residents. He officially starts in this new role on December 1, 2025. Please join us in welcoming him to the Assisi House family!