Executive Leaders
Karen Burdett – Chief Executive Officer
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 - Executive Manager, Accommodation Growth
Vedran (Ved) assumed the position of Executive Manager – Accommodation & Growth at The Cram Foundation in March 2020. In this capacity, he takes charge of acquiring new Participants, while also overseeing the expansion of the organisation's property portfolio and product offerings. Ved is dedicated to enhancing Cram's reputation as a leading disability service provider. With a background in leadership and management spanning the Private, Not-for-Profit, and Australian Government sectors, Ved has played a pivotal role in developing Cram’s housing strategy and growth. His experience extends to various roles as a Director at the National Disability Insurance Agency, where he contributed to Project Management, Transition and Implementation, Corporate Services, HR Business Partnering.
Janet Marzini – Executive 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 previously 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 of leading corporate organisations. Janet’s passion is in engagement, enabling business efficiencies and organisational capability that is centred on the needs of customers and staff.
Alisha Musker – Executive 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 & 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 operations, quality, and clinical services along with the strategic aspects of home and living. 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 & Communications
Sarah joined The Cram Foundation in June 2023 as the Executive Manager, Marketing and Communications. This newly created role sits across all branding, marketing, advertising, community engagement, and external and internal communications functions at Cram. Sarah’s 20-year marketing career started at Dyson; the technology company best known for their vacuum cleaners. Working in Australia, and the UK, she was a manager in their marketing team and press office. 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, the UK, and the US. 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.
Jessica Zondag – Executive Manager, Finance
Jessica Zondag joined Cram’s Executive team as the Finance Manager in November 2023. With extensive knowledge in finance, Jess will assist Cram in future changes, compliance, and the complexities of the funding environment in the Disability Sector. With a background in banking and Aged Care, Jessica brings with her over 15 years of experience in regulatory accountabilities. She is a graduate of the University of Wollongong, a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Chartered Accountant, and is currently completing her MBA with the University of Newcastle.
Managers and Team Leaders
Linda Pullen – Manager, Participant Experience
Linda Pullen joined The Cram Foundation as a volunteer in 2010. After transitioning to a Disability Support Worker in 2011, she was successful in gaining the position of Team leader in 2016 and Manager, Operations in 2019 which gave her oversight on all operational staff at Cram. In 2023, Linda's role evolved once again, this time to Manager, Participant Experience, recognising her dedication to enhancing the overall engagement and satisfaction of Cram’s Participants. Additionally, Linda also serves as Cram's Complaints Officer and chairs the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Committee, 2 roles that ensure the wellbeing and operational efficiency of Cram. In her spare time, she is the President and Senior Coach of Riding for the Disabled Illawarra. She has worked at Cram for 13 years.
Alan Bunker – Manager, Quality & Training
Alan joined The Cram Foundation in April 2019, taking on the role of Team Leader in Nowra. With a comprehensive background in social services, Alan's experience encompasses roles at Centrelink, management of job networks and labour hire businesses, delivery of Indigenous Services contracts, and provision of life skills support and training. Having served as the Operations Manager in Shoalhaven, Alan currently holds the position of Cram Quality and Training Manager. In this capacity, he is responsible for supervising staff inductions and training, as well as managing auditing and quality assurance processes.
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 work after moving to Australia. After just 4 years with Cram, Archer’s strong leadership skills led him to acquire a role as Team Leader. Archer is a senior leader amongst the Team leader group and finds his role the most meaningful of all his roles over the years.
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. With her extensive knowledge and passion based in her years of experience as a Community Support Worker, Linda provides a guiding hand to staff with her straightforward and person-centred approach.
Courtney Torreson - Team Leader
Courtney returned 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 pursue 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
Tara began her career working in childcare where she developed her love and passion for helping others. During this time, she became a volunteer working with people living with multiple complex disabilities and discovered her true calling. She’s extremely passionate about her career and believes she makes a difference in the lives of her Participants. She takes pride in being a carer and a voice and advocate for people, working with them to identify, meet, and exceed their individual goals to ensure they are getting the best out of life.
Rebecca Burton - Team Leader
Rebecca or as she prefers, Bec, joined Cram as a Team Leader in September 2020. Bec has 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 so 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 Cram 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.
Israel Nice - Team Leader
Originating from Hamilton, Victoria, Israel brings a wealth of diverse experience to the disability sector. Israel honed his skills in the Shearing and Wool industry, before transitioning across to the Disability sector seven years ago. Relocating to the Illawarra and the Cram foundation, Israel stepped into the role of Disability Support Worker. In 2022 Israel successfully completed Cram’s leadership program and assumed the role of Team Leader. Nearly four years later, Israel remains a strong advocate for inclusivity, dignity, and empowerment for individuals with disabilities.