Our Executive Leadership Team
Our Executive Leadership Team provides strategic direction across the Meridia network, supporting our organisations to grow, collaborate and create greater impact for the people and communities we serve.
Together they bring experience from disability, mental health, employment, government, community services and commercial sectors.
Group Chief Executive Officer
Karenza leads Meridia with a clear belief that better outcomes happen when people, services and communities are genuinely connected. As Group Chief Executive Officer, she is focused on building a more capable, innovative and future-ready organisation that creates lasting impact for the people and communities it serves.
With more than 25 years' experience across disability, mental health, justice and community services, Karenza has held executive leadership and CEO roles in Australia and the United Kingdom. Her career has been defined by leading organisational transformation, strengthening service systems and advocating for better outcomes for people experiencing complexity and disadvantage.
Before joining Meridia, Karenza served as Chief Executive Officer of both TaskForce and the Australian Community Support Organisation. She has led significant reform and growth across mental health, offending behaviour, employment and community services and played a key role in bringing together ermha365 and The Disability Trust to create a stronger, more connected organisation.
Karenza brings both professional and lived experience to her leadership. Known for her authenticity, curiosity and willingness to challenge conventional thinking, she creates environments where people feel heard, valued and empowered to contribute.
"Karenza has a rare ability to unite people around a shared purpose, turning ambition into action and possibility into meaningful change."
Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer
Tarryn leads quality, safeguarding and service excellence across Meridia, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver safe, high-quality and person-centred services. She is driven by a commitment to protecting people's rights, strengthening outcomes and creating services that people can trust.
With more than 20 years' experience in the disability sector, Tarryn began her career as a speech pathologist before progressing into senior leadership roles. Her clinical background provides a strong foundation for her work in quality, governance and continuous improvement, combining evidence-based practice with a deep understanding of the realities faced by people, families and support teams.
Throughout her career, Tarryn has led large multidisciplinary teams, built capability across services and championed approaches that improve both quality and inclusion. She is also widely recognised for her contribution to communication access and inclusion through her work as a Key Word Sign presenter and trainer.
Known for her thoughtful and collaborative approach, Tarryn invests heavily in mentoring and developing others. She believes strong services are built by strong teams and that continuous improvement starts with listening, learning and working together.
"Tarryn sets the standard for quality and integrity, ensuring every decision is grounded in what matters most – safety, dignity and better outcomes for people."
Group Chief Commercial Officer
Michael leads Meridia's commercial, financial and business services functions, ensuring the organisation remains sustainable, resilient and well-positioned to deliver on its purpose. He believes strong financial stewardship creates the foundation for stronger outcomes for people and communities.
With more than 35 years' experience across financial services, transport, catering, facilities management and disability services, Michael has built a reputation for providing clear strategic direction, sound financial leadership and trusted commercial advice. His experience spans both multinational organisations and complex service environments, giving him a practical understanding of how to balance performance, growth and long-term sustainability.
Prior to joining Meridia, Michael held a similar executive role at ermha365, where he played a key role in strengthening financial performance and supporting organisational growth during a period of significant change.
A Certified Practising Accountant, Michael brings extensive expertise in financial management, governance, business planning and organisational performance. His lived experience of disability also provides valuable perspective, reinforcing his commitment to ensuring commercial decisions remain connected to the people they ultimately serve.
Known for his calm, considered approach, Michael helps organisations navigate complexity with confidence and clarity.
"Michael provides the steady hand that helps the organisation navigate complexity with confidence, balancing commercial rigour with a deep commitment to purpose."
Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer
Mat leads a diverse portfolio across disability, employment and community services, with a strong focus on ensuring people have access to meaningful opportunities, connection and belonging. He is passionate about creating services that respond to individual needs while strengthening communities and improving outcomes.
A proud First Nations man, Mat has built his career across local, regional and national leadership roles, leading large teams, complex service systems and significant organisational growth. His experience spans disability, employment, mental health and community services, giving him a deep understanding of both operational excellence and sector-wide challenges.
Alongside his executive leadership responsibilities, Mat serves as Chair of Disability Employment Australia, contributing to national conversations about inclusive employment and economic participation for people with disability.
Mat is known for his approachable and authentic leadership style. He believes the best decisions are informed by the people closest to the work and is committed to creating environments where people feel valued, supported and able to thrive.
"People trust Mat because he leads with authenticity, listens deeply and never loses sight of the communities we serve."
Group Chief Growth Officer
Robyn leads growth across Meridia, connecting strategy, opportunity and capability to expand impact across our social sector networks and partnerships. She believes organisations doing great work should have every opportunity to do more of it.
With more than 30 years' experience delivering growth in complex and highly competitive environments, Robyn has built a career helping organisations secure major opportunities, strengthen partnerships and create sustainable impact. Throughout her career, she has led major bids and contract wins worth hundreds of millions of dollars across nonprofit, professional services and commercial sectors.
Before joining Meridia, Robyn drove significant growth at ermha365 across mental health, community and complex NDIS services, including leading the development of innovative therapeutic housing models for people with complex psychosocial disability. Earlier in her career, she advised some of Australia's largest organisations on business development, growth strategy and major contract acquisition.
Robyn is also the author of three books on business development, including the Australian Institute of Management bestseller The Shredder Test. With a Master of Counselling alongside her commercial expertise, she brings a unique understanding of both business and human behaviour to her work.
Known for her energy, strategic thinking and ability to identify opportunities others may miss, Robyn is focused on ensuring growth translates into better outcomes for people and communities.
"Robyn sees opportunity where others see obstacles, bringing the vision, drive and commercial acumen needed to turn potential into impact."
Group Chief People Officer
Rebecca leads Meridia's people and culture strategy, helping create workplaces where people feel valued, supported and able to do their best work. She is passionate about building inclusive cultures that enable individuals, teams and organisations to thrive.
Her career spans senior people leadership roles across telecommunications, manufacturing, media, higher education and the for-purpose sector. This breadth of experience brings a strong commercial perspective to workforce strategy, organisational development and leadership capability.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Employment Relations and a Master of Commerce in Human Resources Management and has spent many years lecturing at the University of Wollongong. As a Certified Professional Member of the Australian HR Institute, she has built a reputation for connecting people strategy with meaningful organisational outcomes.
As both a leader and a carer of a daughter with a rare and significant disability, Rebecca brings lived experience alongside professional expertise. This perspective shapes her commitment to inclusion, accessibility and ensuring organisational values are reflected in everyday practice.
Known for her energy, authenticity and people-first approach, Rebecca believes the strongest organisations are those where people feel they belong and are empowered to contribute.
"Rebecca creates cultures where people feel valued, supported and inspired to do their best work – because great organisations are built by great people."