About Us
Our Teams
The people behind Karinya - showing up every day with care, consistency, and a deep belief in young people and their potential.
Meet the Team
About the team
Our team at Karinya shows up. Every day. With care, consistency, and a deep belief in young people and their potential.
We show up to listen without judgment, to walk alongside, and to create spaces where young people feel safe, seen, and valued. Through our work, we bring our mission to life, partnering with young people and the community to create safe, supportive, and inspiring places and programs.
Grounded in our values of hope, kindness, safety, accountability, and innovation, we bring both heart and professional expertise to everything we do. These values are not just words; they shape how we show up, how we respond, and how we build trust every day.
We are driven by our vision of a future where all young Tasmanians are nurtured, protected, and inspired to succeed. This vision guides our work and keeps us focused on what matters most: supporting young people to move forward with confidence, strength, and a sense of possibility.
It is this shared purpose that brings our team together - people who care deeply, act with integrity, and stand alongside young people as they build a future that is safe, strong, and their own.
Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
Jane
“From little things, big things grow”
— Paul Kelly
As the CEO of Karinya, I find great resonance with Karinya's values, as they mirror my core principles. At the heart of our mission lies a deep commitment to hope, integrity, safety, and kindness. While many of us may take for granted the sanctuary of a safe and nurturing family home, where food and affection abound, we aim to cultivate such an environment within our organisation.
We understand the importance of providing not only physical safety but also emotional security, where each member of our team is valued and respected for their unique contributions.
Karinya greatly values our partners and supporters who join with us in making a positive difference in a young person's life. Together, we envision a future where every young person feels empowered, valued and ready to take on the world!
Program Team Leader
Patsy
“Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog.”
— Matilda, Roald Dahl
I firmly believe that with the right opportunities, every young person has the potential to lead the world. It's crucial to recognise the incredible potential within our youth. As workers, we are responsible for walking alongside them on their journey, understanding that they may fall over along the way, and being a supportive bridge to help them succeed.
Finance Officer
Lisa
“Kindness costs nothing, but it can change everything.”
I work at Karinya because I love being around people who are passionate about supporting young people, and their families and friends, to live their best lives.
Program Support Team
Karinya’s Project & Administration Officer
Graeme
"I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky." From the lyrics of Black by Pearl Jam
I’ve always wanted to work for an organisation that has a genuine purpose, where the work I do means something and contributes to making a difference. Being part of Karinya gives me that opportunity, and it’s something I really value.
I enjoy being part of the behind-the-scenes work that helps keep things running smoothly and brings new ideas to life. No two days are quite the same, and that’s one of the things I love about my role!
From coordinating projects and sorting out IT challenges to organising resources, improving our spaces and sharing what we do through social media, I enjoy finding practical solutions and making life a little easier for the people around me.
What I value most is being part of a team that genuinely cares about young people. I might not always work directly with them, but knowing that the work I do helps create safe, welcoming spaces and supports the people who walk alongside them gives my job real meaning. It’s nice to finish the day knowing that, in my own way, I’ve helped make a difference.
Tenancy Officer
Arlene
“If you can't fly, then run; if you can't run, then walk; if you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
I was seeking a career shift that offered both personal fulfilment and the chance to make a real impact. Working at Karinya aligns with those goals by providing an opportunity to support and assist young people in need, which can be incredibly rewarding.
Supporting a team that helps young people with accommodation needs is incredibly meaningful. Knowing that your efforts contribute to something greater is a good feeling.
Crisis Accommodation Team
Case Manager
Sophie
“We can't be brave in the big world without at least one small safe space to work through our fears and falls.”
— Brené Brown
I was motivated to work at Karinya within the Case Management role as I had personally witnessed intergenerational trauma be addressed within my own family. Through genuine struggle, youth homelessness, poverty and other adversity, my parents overcame barriers to pursue higher education, stable housing, and access to services. Knowing what is possible with the right support in-place, I hope to be a part of an organisation that offers safety, client-focused services for best outcomes — reducing the likelihood of intergenerational struggle for all young people.
Youth Support
Nancy
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.”
— Charles R. Swindoll
I was drawn to Karinya because of the strong commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for young women. I'm passionate about empowering them to build confidence, set goals, and achieve what matters to them.
Youth Support
Cynthia
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless”
— Mother Teresa
Living & Life Skills educator
Sharni
I believe every young person deserves to feel safe, valued, heard and supported to become the best version of themselves. My approach is centred on meeting young people where they are at, building genuine connections and creating a safe, welcoming environment where they feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgement.
During their time at Karinya, I hope to support young people to build confidence, develop new skills, recognise their strengths and understand that their past does not define their future. I believe every young person has the potential to achieve great things, and that having someone who believes in them along the way can make all the difference.
Youth Support
Kim
“I am a lighthouse rather than a lifeboat. I do not rescue, but instead help others to find their way to shore, guiding them by my example.”
— Modern Affirmation
I really enjoy getting to know the young people I work with and building genuine connections with them. I hope that, in some small way, I can help them feel supported, encouraged and confident in becoming the person they want to be.
Being a teenager can be tough for anyone, and even more so when you're dealing with challenges that other young people might not have to face. I want to be someone they can feel comfortable around, have a laugh with, and know is there to support them when they need it.
For me, it's about making their time with us a positive experience — a place where they can have fun, feel valued and supported, while also building confidence, skills and experiences that will help them in the future.
Youth Support
Kellie
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.”
KYTT Team
KYTT Program Lead
Courtney
“We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can always build our youth for the future.”
Every day presents an opportunity to positively impact young people's lives, supporting them through various challenges and milestones. The sense of purpose derived from working with youth is truly remarkable, as I witness the resilience and growth of the youth I work with. It's gratifying to contribute to their journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and personal development. The unique blend of challenges and joys in this role keeps me motivated.
Case Manager
Mohana
“We rise by lifting others.”
Karinya gives me the opportunity to make a direct and tangible impact on young people's lives. Helping shape and guide young minds can be incredibly rewarding - I love what I do!
Case Manager
Emma
“It’s no use going back to yesterday, I was a different person then.” — Alice in Wonderland
As a Case Manager within the Karinya Youth Transitional Tenancy (KYTT) program, it is a genuine honour to walk alongside young people as they navigate change, discover their strengths, and shape their futures. I believe that feeling safe and at home is about more than having a roof over your head; it is about creating the foundations from which trust, autonomy, and confidence can grow. It's then that we can enrich the unique talents, abilities and dreams of young people so that they may recognise their own capacity, build independence, and feel empowered to move forwards in their lives.
KYM Team
KYM Program Lead
Ally
“Believe you can and you're halfway there.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
Working in the Karinya Young Mums program is an incredibly rewarding experience and a source of profound satisfaction. Supporting and engaging with young mothers and their babies is both a privilege and a joy, and witnessing the genuine bonds and resilience they embody is profoundly inspiring. The commitment to empowering families and fostering a supportive community resonates deeply with me.
KYM Living & Life Skills Educator
Sharni
I believe every young person deserves to feel safe, valued, heard and supported to become the best version of themselves. My approach is centred on meeting young people where they are at, building genuine connections and creating a safe, welcoming environment where they feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgement.
During their time at Karinya, I hope to support young people to build confidence, develop new skills, recognise their strengths and understand that their past does not define their future. I believe every young person has the potential to achieve great things, and that having someone who believes in them along the way can make all the difference.
KYTT Case Manager
Georgia
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own and you know what you know and YOU are the one who’ll decide where you go – Dr. Seuss.”
The decision to work at Karinya was an easy one for me. Supporting young mothers and their children as they navigate the early stages of parenthood is both a privilege and a passion that is deeply close to my heart. I strongly believe that young people are our future, and when they are provided with the right guidance and nurturing, the outcomes can only be positive.
My hope in being part of this program is to see young people grow into confident, capable individuals who are equipped with the skills to shape their own futures. I firmly believe that “you only know what you are taught,” and working with young people gives me the opportunity to teach fundamental life skills, especially when they may not have other influences to guide them.
Being able to walk alongside young mothers on their journeys, while building genuine and meaningful connections that help shape their lives, is something I find incredibly rewarding and am truly grateful for.