Karen Burdett will take over from Chris Christodoulou as Greenacres CEO later this year. Photo: Greenacres.
As the Greenacres Disability Services incumbent CEO prepares to exit, the organisation has announced the person stepping into his place – and she’s no greenhorn in the disability services sector.
Karen Burdett, the current CEO of The Cram Foundation, will take over for CEO Chris Christodoulou when he retires later this year.
Greenacres chair Greg Parrish said the search for Mr Christodoulou’s replacement was robust, having begun in February this year with an extensive Australia-wide recruitment process resulting in many high-calibre candidates.
“Karen brings considerable leadership experience and joins Greenacres at a pivotal time in our journey with continued change and challenges posed in a very competitive disability sector,” Mr Parrish said.
“On behalf of the board and staff of Greenacres, we are very excited to welcome Karen to lead Greenacres in our role of imagining a better future for people in our community with disability.”
Ms Burdett joins Greenacres following a lengthy career dedicated to improving disability services, including with The Cram Foundation, Flagstaff and the Illawarra Disability Alliance.
She said she would focus on building on the organisation’s great legacy established over many years by a dedicated staff and volunteer base under the guidance of Mr Christodoulou.
“I am grateful to have been selected to lead the team at Greenacres Disability Services following the impressive tenure and contribution of Chris Christodoulou,” she said.
Ms Burdett said she was excited to use her wealth of experience in the disability sector to lead Greenacres in the coming years. Photo: Greenacres.
“Having had the privilege of working across the for-purpose disability sector over the past 11 years, I have seen firsthand the contribution made by Greenacres within the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region. They have an excellent reputation in our community and beyond, and are renowned for their provision of quality services, leadership, and advocacy for employment for people with disability.
“I’m excited to be joining Greenacres at such a significant time of change and opportunity, and collaborating with the team, the participants and their families, and the broader business community.
“Leaving The Cram Foundation has not been an easy decision and I acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of the people I have worked alongside over the past six years and am proud of what we have achieved together.”
Mr Christodoulou said the future of Greenacres was in good hands with the appointment of Ms Burdett.
“Karen will bring to Greenacres a wealth of experience in the disability sector. She understands the needs of participants, she certainly understands the challenges that providers face and she is energised to come into Greenacres to make it an even better organisation,” he said.
“The board have every confidence that Karen will leave a positive mark on Greenacres.”
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