ermha365 is part of the Disability Trust Group
Karenza Louis-Smith
Group Chief Executive Officer
Karenza Louis-Smith is the proud Group CEO of The Disability Trust, leading the organisation with heart, vision, and a deep commitment to empowering people with disability and complex mental health needs. She brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience, a wealth of knowledge, and a genuine passion for creating inclusive, person-centred services that empower individuals and communities.
Karenza’s extensive career began in youth services in the UK, and over the years, she has held senior roles across Australia, including CEO positions at TaskForce and The Australian Community Support Organisation (acso), working in the areas of mental health, disability, offending, employment service, and drug treatment. In 2024, she was involved in the successful merger of ermha365 with The Disability Trust, uniting two organisations with aligned values and complementary strengths to create a stronger, more impactful Group.
As Chair of the Board at Mental Health Victoria, Karenza plays a pivotal role in influencing policy and driving sector-wide reform. Her passion for inclusion and advocacy ensures that The Disability Trust not only delivers exceptional services but also champions systemic change to improve outcomes for people with disability and complex mental health needs.
Karenza is a passionate advocate and a strategic thinker. Her vision is clear: to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no matter how complex or challenging their needs.
Robyn Haydon
Group Chief Growth Officer
Robyn Haydon is the Chief Growth Officer of the Group, bringing over 30 years of experience in strategic business development, advocacy, and executive leadership across manufacturing, infrastructure, disability, mental health, and professional services. She is known for her ability to lead complex growth initiatives, win competitive contracts, and unite cross-functional teams to compete successfully in high-stakes environments.
Robyn’s career includes senior roles at Jacobs, where she led international growth pursuits for city-shaping programs such as the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and at ermha365, where she drove a significant revenue increase across the mental health, community and complex NDIS portfolios and led the launch of new therapeutic housing for people with complex psychosocial disability. Her work in advocacy has also helped shape more inclusive service models for people with high support needs.
As a consultant, Robyn helped dozens of organisations to win and retain major contracts through competitive tenders with Australia’s largest corporate and government buyers. A published author of three books on business development, Robyn has also shared her expertise through numerous workshops for senior leaders on writing winning proposals, retaining existing business, and positioning value for future growth.
With a Master of Counselling and Bachelor of Business qualifications, Robyn’s growth leadership is shaped by strategic insight, inclusive values, and a passion for helping people who do great work to win more work. She brings a person-centred, outcomes-driven approach to this newly created role, blending commercial acumen with a deep commitment to social impact.
Mathew McIntyre
Deputy Group CEO – Employment Enterprises
Mathew McIntyre is a proud First Nations man with over a decade of experience across the Disability, Employment, and Mental Health sectors. Before joining The Disability Trust, he held senior management and executive leadership roles across regional, state, and national levels, where he led high-performing teams, developed emerging leaders, and delivered strategic change initiatives.
Mathew is passionate about creating meaningful impact and fostering inclusive, collaborative environments that drive excellence in service delivery. He works closely with participants, families, and community support services to ensure outcomes are person-centred, empowering, and aligned with the goals and choices of the people we support.
In addition to his executive leadership, Mathew contributes to sector-wide advocacy and reform through his role as Chair of Disability Employment Australia, supporting innovation and collaboration to improve employment outcomes for people with disability.
Tarryn Bracken
Deputy Group CEO – NDIS Services
Tarryn brings over 20 years’ experience in the disability sector, with a passion in clinical leadership, drawing on her background in Allied Health and Speech Pathology. She has previously led the dynamic and professional multidisciplinary clinical service within The Disability Trust and extends these skills into the Quality and Safeguarding space. Drawing on her experience in government and non-government settings, Tarryn is committed to safeguarding and upholding the rights of people with disability, and ensuring the organisation delivers services of the highest quality and standards.
Throughout her career, Tarryn has focused on the development and support of the teams she has led, through mentoring and support, and believes networking and collaboration are key to a strong service sector. She was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2008, and is an experienced trainer in her areas of expertise. Tarryn is a professional member of Speech Pathology Australia, Key Word Sign Australia and AGOSCI.
Michael Bowers
Group Chief Commercial Officer
Michael has over 35 years’ experience as a Finance Professional working in large multi-national organisations and private businesses across a broad range of industries, including financial services, transport, catering, facilities management and disability services. A Certified Practising Accountant, Michael brings a range of skills including Financial Accounting, Business Partnering, Budgeting, Negotiation, Management and Business Planning. With personal lived experience of disability, Michael is also a supporter of the NDIS and the positive change it will bring to the sector.
Rebecca Coombes
Group Chief People Officer
Rebecca is a seasoned professional in the People discipline, more broadly excelling in executive leadership. With experience working across a range of industries from telecommunications, manufacturing, media and higher education prior to joining the for-purpose sector, Rebecca balances a solid commercial acumen and broadly applied HR skill-set, aptly adapted for application in the human services sector.
Rebecca is a professional member of The Australian Human Resources institute, being awarded CAHRI status more than 15-years ago. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Employment Relations, and a Masters of Commerce in Human Resources Management (with Distinction), as well as 8-years of experience working as an academic lecturer (University of Wollongong) across the HR and management discipline at both under-graduate and postgraduate level, Rebecca confidently navigates the strategic realms of her discipline, adding unwavering value to the strategic business and broad leadership agenda.
Being mother and carer of a daughter with significant and profound disabilities provides Rebecca with the lived experience to personally connect with all The Trust stands for. This lived experience is invaluable in leading a workforce strategy/‘people’ processes that align the internal and external customers.