The Cram Foundation’s new CEO Alisha Musker wants the Illawarra to be the benchmark for inclusion. Photo: The Cram Foundation.
“Inclusion always” are the two words forming the tiny motto with profound meaning that shapes Alisha Musker’s every decision as the new CEO of disability support organisation The Cram Foundation.
She had barely moved from being Cram’s “Executive Manager of People and Culture” – a role she had enjoyed for five years – to step into the shoes of the incumbent CEO Karen Burdett, when the words were adopted.
“As part of our recent brand refresh, in conjunction with staff and the people we support we came up with this tagline – inclusion always,” she says.
“When you put that lens of ‘inclusion always’ over everything you do, it becomes very clear how even the simplest things in life – going shopping or to the doctor – are fraught with barriers for people with disability.”
Before The Cram Foundation, Alisha had worked in the “people and culture space” for 25 years, predominantly in call centres and hospitality, but had long wanted to step into the not-for-profit sector.
Supporting a child with disability herself, the disability space held special meaning, so she jumped at the chance to work for Cram.
“I instantly fell in love with the innovative work our staff do for people with disability to help them live their absolute best life. Being able to work with Karen and the incredible Cram team over the past five years on some amazing initiatives has been such an inspiration and an honour,” she says.
Alisha hit the ground running in the role, working with key stakeholders on initiatives such as establishing a viewing platform for the New Year’s Eve fireworks platform alongside Wollongong City Council.
Alisha with The Cram Foundation participants Sharyn and MaryAnne and staff member Michelle Boniface at a recent accessible movie night at Shellharbour Marina. Photo: The Cram Foundation.
The Cram team is also currently working with Wollongong Conservatory of Music to develop their music therapy program 2.0 and recently staged an accessible movie night at Shellharbour Marina.
Last year the foundation was the strategic partner chosen by The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre to provide valuable insights into the development of its “Workplaces for Change” program, an initiative aimed at preventing and reducing the impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) within the workplace.
“A lot of our work is about challenging our local organisations, institutions, groups and communities to think about how inclusive their practices are and how they can improve service delivery to ensure we’re always including people with disability and removing barriers for them to access everything life has to offer, just as you and I do,” she says.
“We want the Illawarra to be the benchmark for inclusion.”
Challenges lie ahead, particularly with navigating the ever-evolving NDIS as the government works to reform the scheme for long term financially sustainability. But Alisha and the team are ready to face them head-on.
“Karen created an amazing legacy for advocating for the rights of people with disability, and that’s what drew me to Cram. When she went over to Greenacres, she was a big advocate for me stepping into her shoes,” Alisha says.
“As she was leaving, she told me to continue leading the way in making a difference for the people we work for. And that’s what I intend to do.”
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