Lighting the Way: Kathryn Poehling Seymour’s Community Leadership Through Gerhard’s Kitchen, Bath & Lighting Store
As President and CEO of First Supply LLC, the brand behind local Gerhard’s Kitchen, Bath & Lighting Store in Whitefish Bay, Kathryn “Katie” Poehling Seymour stands at the helm of a 128-year-old family business that has become a cornerstone of the Midwest’s distribution and design industry. Yet, her leadership story is less about inheritance and more about intention. A journey shaped by mentorship, resilience, and a deep commitment to people and community. For Katie, returning to the family business was never a foregone conclusion. After earning her law degree from the University of Notre Dame, she began her career in tax consulting at Deloitte in downtown Milwaukee. She found fulfillment in that work, but her father, a longtime leader of the company, persistently encouraged her to come back and learn the business from the inside. When she did, she immersed herself in every facet of operations, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the company’s people, customers, and industry before ultimately stepping into executive leadership. Katie’s father had prioritized succession planning so that when her daughters, now 6, 5, and 5, were older, she would be able to take the lead. That carefully planned transition accelerated unexpectedly in 2020 when her father suffered a stroke. Thanks to that plan, the company was able to navigate leadership change during an already challenging time with stability and clarity. Today, she credits that preparation, and her father’s continued mentorship, as one of the greatest gifts to both her and the organization.
A People-First Leader
Growing up, Katie observed leadership up close, watching her father guide the company with fairness, determination, and innovation. Those early experiences became foundational to her own leadership philosophy: people first. “Our employees, customers, and industry partners are who make us First Supply,” she emphasizes. “Without each and every person, we would not be a 128-year-old business.” That philosophy was especially evident during the opening of the company’s new Central Distribution Center in West Salem, Wisconsin. A project that blended innovation with heritage. The facility introduced robotics and automation while honoring the company’s western Wisconsin roots and supporting the families who have long relied on the business for employment. To guide the transition, Katie personally conducted a statewide “roadshow” meeting with all 800 employees to communicate openly about the changes and the company’s future. It is a leadership approach grounded in transparency, accessibility, and shared purpose;
qualities that have helped her navigate an industry traditionally dominated by men.
Opening Doors in a Male-Dominated Industry
Poehling Seymour acknowledges that challenges exist, but she also points to the strong network of industry leaders who advocated for her early in her career. Now, she is committed to doing the same for others. She co-founded the Women in Industry Division of the American Supply Association alongside NIBICO CEO Ashley Martin (now the fastest-growing division within the organization). The initiative has created new opportunities for connection, mentorship, and advancement for women across the field, helping to amplify voices that historically had fewer seats at the table. Her inspiration includes trailblazers like Alice Martin, the late mother of her friend Ashley, who championed leadership opportunities for women long before it was common industry practice. Today, the ASA Women in Industry annual award bears Martin’s name; a lasting reminder of her influence.
Community Impact Through Innovation and Design
While First Supply’s footprint spans the Midwest, Katie is particularly passionate about the company’s community-facing initiatives. With 14 Gerhard’s Kitchen, Bath & Lighting showrooms such as the location on Silver Spring Drive in Whitefish Bay along with four Kohler Signature Stores, these spaces serve as interactive design hubs where homeowners and professionals alike can experience innovation firsthand. Poehling Seymour describes them as “consumer workshops” where ideas come to life and where the company connects directly with the community it serves. “These stores are leading in inspirational design and bringing product innovation to market,” she says. “I love hearing stories from the stores and playing with all the beautiful newness myself.”
International Women’s Day: A Personal Perspective
As a mother of three young daughters, International Women’s Day carries special meaning for Katie. Her perspective has evolved alongside her role as both a leader and a parent She points to ongoing challenges in the corporate pipeline, citing research that shows women remain underrepresented at management levels, particularly at the first promotion step, often referred to as the “broken rung.” While progress is being made, she believes continued advocacy is essential both locally and globally. Equally important, she notes, is recognizing the privileges many women have in the United States and using those platforms to advocate for women worldwide who may not have the same opportunities or voice.
The Power of Mentorship and Advocacy
Mentorship has been a defining force throughout Poehling Seymour’s career, from her father’s guidance to the influence of industry leaders and her own team. Today, she actively mentors
emerging leaders within First Supply and beyond, speaking with students entering the workforce and advocating for growth opportunities for women in business. Her advice to aspiring female leaders is both simple and strategic: find an advocate and be an advocate. Research shows that employees with sponsors are promoted at nearly twice the rate of those without. A statistic she takes seriously as she works to open the doors for others. “People who bring your name up, ask you to serve on their teams, and push for your success can change your trajectory,” she says. “I strive to now be that person for others.”
Looking Ahead: Growth, Innovation, and Legacy
Under Katie’s leadership, First Supply continues to position itself as an innovator in distribution and design, with investments in automation, enhanced vendor partnerships, and expanded community reach. Her long-term vision is clear: to grow the company’s impact while strengthening the legacy of the family business for the next generation. That future may one day be closer to home that she expected. Recently, her oldest daughter asked, “Mommy, when you’re done with the company, can I maybe be in charge someday?” For Poehling Seymour, it was both a heartwarming moment and a reminder of what legacy truly means.
“I hope to leave the legacy of a leader who inspired the leaders who follow me,” she says. “Fair, strong, innovative, and focused on improving our industry and our community.” On International Women’s Day, her story reflects more than professional achievement. It represents the evolving face of leadership; one rooted in mentorship, innovation, and the belief that opening doors today creates opportunities for generations to come.
