Senses Foundation - Senior Management
Chief Executive Officer
Debbie Karasinski M Sc., B App Sc (OT), OTR (USA), MAICD
Debbie Karasinski has held the position of Chief Executive Officer since April 2002.
Debbie Karasinski is also a member the West Australian Management Committee of NDS (formerly ACROD); a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Policy Forum and the CCI Social Policy Committee; Chairs the Disability Sector CEO Round Table; and is a member of the Taxi Industry Board.
Prior to her appointment to the Senses Foundation, Debbie Karasinski was the Chief Executive Officer of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia, a position she held for ten years from 1992 and for which she was awarded a Centenary Medal.
From 2002 to February 2004, Debbie was the Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Disability Services and a member of the Board of the Disability Services Commission (DSC). This was her second term on the Commission Board, serving previously on the inaugural DSC Board from 1993 to 1999.
Debbie Karasinski has worked for the past thirty years in the disability and health industry. She first graduated from Curtin University as an occupational therapist. After working in that profession for ten years and rising to the position of Chief Occupational Therapist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Debbie moved to the USA where she graduated from Florida State University with a Master of Science.
Email: dkarasinski@senses.asn.au
Telephone: (08) 9473-5420
Senior Managers
The Chief Executive Officer has appointed a group of Senior Managers to assist her in the Management of Senses Foundation. These people are responsible for managing the “day to day” operations of their respective areas and for effectively supervising the people working in their areas.
Senior Manager - Corporate Services
David Snape BBus., CAHRI.
David Snape has held the position of Senior Manager Corporate Services since 2005. Prior to this appointment he held the position of Human Resource Manager from 2003.
David graduated from Edith Cowan University with a Bachelor of Business with a double major in Human Resources and Industrial Relations and is currently completing an MBA. David has worked in the area of human resource since 1996 and has worked in a variety of different industries (e.g. Retail, Manufacturing) predominately in management positions with a generalist role focus.
As the Senior Manager Corporate services, David’s key responsibilities include the development and management of the organisation’s corporate activities including human resources, finance, administration, IT, training & development and property management. This position also deputises for the Chief Executive Officer.
Recently, David has been accepted as a Certified Professional with the Australian Human Resource Institute and represents NDS WA on the National Occupational Safety and Health Committee.
Email: dsnape@senses.asn.au
Telephone: (08) 9473-5424
Senior Manager - Client Services
Elvira Edwards B Sc., Grad Dip Hlth Sc.
Elvira Edwards has held the position of Senior Manager of Client Services since January 2006. She also holds the position of Secretary, of Deafblind International.
Elvira Edwards graduated from the University of WA with a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Psychology. Elvira has worked in the disability sector since 1981 and has worked as a Local Area Coordinator and as a Services Contract and Development Officer with responsibility for the funding contracts of a number of non-government organisations. Elvira has managed a group of people who were involved in the coordination of residential, respite, employment and recreation services across the State; been involved in the devolution and closing of Swanbourne; been involved in the determination of eligibility for intellectual disability and autism services; and has established many of the processes for assessment that still exist today.
Elvira Edwards has a Graduate Diploma in Health Science in Research and Evaluation and has also undertaken a number of management and values based courses.
In 2000, Elvira Edwards was granted an Excellence Award for ‘valued and knowledgeable services for families, agencies and others working with people with autism spectrum disorders.
Email: elvira.edwards@senses.asn.au
Telephone: (08) 9473-5422
