Management Team
Karen Burdett - CEO
Karen joined as Cram's CEO in July 2018 with over 15 years' experience in Senior Management positions working within Australia, New Zealand and Asia in corporate and not for profit organisations across a range of industry sectors. With expertise in strategic planning, business development, marketing and communications, Karen is passionate about driving values based growth, delivering excellence in customer service and collaboration across with community, government and industry. She holds a Masters of Business Administration with Sydney Business School and was the recipient of the GMAA student Award in 2017. Karen holds a Graduate Certificate in Marketing and is a current member of the Regional Advisory Committee for the Illawarra Business Chamber. Karen has contributed as a volunteer in a range of organisations including the establishment of an international charity Hands of Help dedicated to improving the lives of people around the world by enhancing their access to health care and education, Highlights on Mental Health and St Vincent de Paul. Karen has a love of travelling, music, socialising with family and friends, bushwalking, theatre and the creative arts.
Vedran Stajic - Manager, Accommodation Growth
Vedran (or Ved) commenced in March 2020 as The Cram Foundations Manager, Accommodation Growth. The role is responsible for the acquisition and onboarding of Cram’s new clients into our shared living facilities, as well as overseeing the growth of Cram’s new properties and products, as well as raising Cram’s profile as a leading disability service provider. Ved has a background in leadership and management across the Private, Not for Profit and Australian Government sectors. He has held significant roles in the development of housing strategy and case management of over 1200 people in accommodation and settlement services with Navitas. Ved has also held a number of roles as a Director with the National Disability Insurance Agency in the area of Project Management, Transition and Implementation, Corporate Services and HR Business Partnering and most recently in Business Development within the Community sector.
Janet Marzini - Manager, Business Optimisation
Janet Marzini commenced with The Cram Foundation in the role of Manager, Business Optimisation in April 2020. The role is responsible for optimising Cram’s internal operations through the review of our processes, technology, systems and service to achieve efficiencies and enable a sustainable and authentic, person-centred culture. Janet comes with over 25 years’ experience in finance, operations, human resources, systems and strategy. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Janet most recently held the role of Business Operations Manager with Daley and Co for over 5 years, which followed a number of senior executive roles as the Head of Sales and Service, Finance Manager, Transformation Project Lead and Group Administration Manager within a number leading corporate organisations. Janet’s passion is in engagement, enabling business efficiencies and organisational capability that is centred of the needs of customers and staff.
Alisha Musker - Manager, People & Culture
Alisha joined Cram in March 2021 and brings with her over 20 years of HR Management experience across a range of industries including Hospitality, Telecommunications and IT. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Employment Relations. She is a current member of AHRI and sits on the University of Wollongong HRM advisory committee. Alisha brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience in delivering people-focused strategy and processes. With a firm understanding of Industrial Relations, WHS, and regulatory requirements, Alisha’s passion lies with values-based leadership and team development.
Lena Blinko - Executive Manager, Home and Living Services
Lena Blinko joined The Cram Foundation in April 2023 as the Executive Manager of Home and Living Services. In this role, she oversees the operational, quality, and strategic aspects of home and living services. Lena started her career in the field of inclusive education and disability services over 20 years ago in Canada and has demonstrated a strong passion for person-centred care and inclusive practices. Lena moved to Australia in 2010 where she has worked in government and non-government organisations in senior and executive level positions. Lena brings with her a wealth of experience in quality management, client experience, and operational leadership, reflecting her deep commitment to providing high-quality services to individuals with disabilities. Lena is a dedicated lifelong learner and is currently completing her Bachelor of Community Health from the University of South Australia. Additionally, she holds a Diploma of Education, with a focus on Special Education from Langara College, British Columbia Canada, which further enriches her expertise in the field.
Sarah Mason – Executive Manager, Marketing and Communications
Sarah joined the Cram Foundation in June 2023 as the Executive Manager, Marketing and Communications. This newly developed role sits across all marketing and internal communications functions at Cram. Sarah has worked for brands in Australia, the UK and US across her 20-year marketing career before moving back to Wollongong. After a stint in alumni communications at the University of Wollongong, she went on to head up the brand team at eHarmony during the tipping point of online dating in Australia. Her most recent position at CareSouth managed the Customer and Community Engagement team. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing degree from the University of Wollongong.
Linda Pullen - Manager, Operations
Linda has worked in the disability field for 18 years and was president of Riding For the Disabled Illawarra Centre for 16 years. Whilst at RDA Linda was a senior coach, having the pleasure of teaching many people of all different ages to ride and care for horses and supporting them to reach their goals and aspirations. In 2010 Linda came to Cram as a volunteer and became employed as a Disability Services Worker in 2011. In 2016 Linda became a Team Leader and just recently has been appointed as the Manager, Operations.
Alan Bunker - Manager, Operations Shoalhaven
Alan joined The Cram Foundation in April 2019 as Team Leader Nowra. Alan has a background in social services, having worked for Centrelink, managed job networks and labour hire business and delivered Indigenous Services contracts. The last 3 years have seen Alan working in disability services delivering the School Leaver Support Services program, focusing on capacity building for participants in areas such as job readiness, social, independence and life skills. During this time, Alan also completed the Cert. III Individual Support (Disabilities).
Narissa Mathews - Support Coordinator & Community Engagement
Narissa started her journey within the Disability sector at Cram in 2019 following an extensive career in Senior Management leading teams within the hospitality sector. As Support Coordinator her focus is to help family and participants understand and navigate the best outcomes from their NDIS plans as well as linking community and main stream supports. Narissa’s approach is very focused, holistic and person centred and she loves seeing her participants live their dreams and realise their potential.
Archer Moyo - Team Leader
Archer joined The Cram Foundation in December 2014 as a Community Support worker. As a former Accountant and Town Planner Archer made the step into Disability after moving to Australia. After just 4 years with Cram, Archer’s strong leadership skills led him to acquire a role as a Team Leader. By far Archer finds this job to be the most meaningful and is excited about the future under the NDIS.
Linda Solitro - Team Leader
Linda joined The Cram Foundation in August 2007 as a casual Community Support Worker after completing her TAFE course in Certificate 3 in Disability part time. With her an extensive amount of knowledge and passion on doing over 10 years’ experience as a Community Support Worker and great approach with staff Linda recently acquired the role in cram’s management team.
Courtney Torreson - Team Leader
Courtney is returned back to Cram in January 2020 after being away for 4 Years. Courtney has 11 years’ experience in the Disability Industry. Courtney worked for Cram for 6 years prior to moving to Mudgee to purse the farm life. Courtney is excited to be back part of the Cram team. Courtney is focused and driven to providing quality service to the Cram participants.
Tara Dingle - Team Leader
I began my professional career in 2007 working in childcare where I developed my love and passion for helping others. I became a volunteer working with people living with multiple complex disabilities and discovered my true calling. I'm extremely passionate about my work and believe I make and will continue to make, a difference in the lives of my participants. I take pride in being a carer and being a voice and advocate for people, working with them to identify, meet and exceed their individual goals and to ensure they are getting the best out of life.
Rebecca Burton - Team Leader
Rebecca or as she would prefer Bec is a recent Team Leader to The Cram Foundation joining in September 2020. Bec has had extensive Customer Service and Leadership roles in the Banking Industry and in 2013 decided to make the change to become a carer and has done for the last eight years. After completing her Certificate 3 and 4 in Aged Care, Bec decided to bring her passion for people and her life engagement skills to The Cram Foundation where she is dedicated to making a difference in our participants lives every day.
Leilanie Lubis - Team Leader
Leilanie joined the Cram Foundation in July 2021 after an extensive leadership and management career within the aged care sector and successfully managing her own small business for over 12 years. Leilanie is passionate about guiding staff towards meeting Cram’s vision to create a world where each person with a disability can live their best life by putting participants at the centre of all decisions and assisting them to achieve their goals.
Rene Mori - Team Leader
Rene joined The Cram Foundation in October 2020 after working close to 30 years in the retail industry. Rene comes to Cram with over 15 years of operational experience managing multiple retail outlets, warehousing operations, wholesale, and procurement for multiple organisations nationally. Rene decided to move into the disabilities sector after working as a project, operations manager for two not-for-profit organisations in South Australia specifying in generating employment for persons with disabilities. Rene wanted to continue pursuing his passion and four’s years after his last project found the opportunity to work at Cram.