The Board of Directors of The Disability Trust is pleased to share the appointment of our new Group Chief Executive Officer (Group CEO). Following an extensive recruitment process supported by Derwent Executive Search, we are excited to announce that Karenza Louis-Smith will commence in the role of Group CEO on Monday, 4 August 2025.
Karenza is currently the CEO of ermha365 which merged with The Disability Trust in 2024. She brings to this role a genuine passion for inclusion. Her focus on ensuring person-centred services and empowering people and communities is second to none.
Karenza has more than twenty-five years’ experience in executive leadership roles in for-purpose organisations providing community services covering disability including NDIS, employment, and mental health supports. This includes CEO roles at TaskForce Community Agency and The Australian Community Support Organisation (acso) as well as at ermha365.
As Chair of the Board at Mental Health Victoria, and with her strong history of impact through advocacy, Karenza is a great leader for our Group as we look to continue to build upon past successes while navigating a complex external environment that presents many significant new opportunities.
On behalf of the Board, I would personally like to recognise and thank Tarryn Bracken, who has been performing the role of interim Group CEO since late January 2025. Tarryn has made a significant impact over this period, and I am delighted that Tarryn will continue to add value to our Group Executive team. We also recognise and applaud the outstanding work of our Group Executive Leadership Team as we have navigated the first half of 2025, following a significant period of growth in 2024 where we completed three mergers. Thank you to Stacey Barlow, Michael Bowers, Helen Bugg, Rebecca Coombes, Belinda Dawson, Miriana Gazivoda, Lawrence Harvey, Robyn Haydon, Matthew McIntyre, and Bronwyn Thomas for your leadership during such an important time in the history of our organisation, and again, great job Tarryn Bracken.
I am sure you will join the Board in congratulating Karenza on her appointment. I know that Karenza is looking forward to starting in the Group CEO role, stating that she is ‘thrilled, honoured and privileged’ to accept this important position. We have much work to do together, as we look to continue to build The Disability Trust Group to become a leading provider of services across the whole country, supporting more people to live their best lives as we build an inclusive world together.
Peter Langkamp
Chair of the Board
The Disability Trust
