Meet Cara’s Chief Executive and Executive Team
Cara’s Executive team are focused on Cara’s strategic objectives and transformation, to provide the very best service of to our most important stakeholders – our customers.
John van Ruth
Chief Executive Officer
John joined Cara in October 2023 as Chief Executive Officer as well as holds a number of non-executive directorships.
Prior to joining Cara, John spent three and a half years as Chief Executive Officer a respected disability support provider.
John is a Chartered Accountant and spent his early career was working for large accounting firms in Australia, Canada and Holland. John then spent many years in senior finance and technology roles with iconic South Australian companies before transitioning to the not for profit and services sector.
Alison Gallo
Chief Financial Officer
“I am excited to work with Cara, and utilise my skills and experience to work with Cara towards its vision to support South Australians with disability to lead rich and fulfilling lives.”
Alison is a Chartered Accountant Fellow who joined Cara in June 2022 with over 20 years’ experience across both public practice and the not-for-profit sector.
With an extensive background in the disability sector and a deep understanding of the NDIS, together with a values-driven approach to her work, Alison is focussed on sustainability and driving Cara’s growth and future success.
Prior to joining Cara, Alison held Executive General Manager and Chief Financial Officer roles with other South Australian disability service providers and spent a decade working for professional services firm PwC.
Alison is pictured with Jenn, who lives with support from Cara in Supported Independent Living.
Todd Williams
Executive Manager – Operations
“I’m passionate about creating new and better ways of supporting people with disability, seeing our customers thriving, trying new things and developing in ways they never thought possible.”
Todd has an extensive background in delivering human services, having worked in government and not-for-profit agencies in Australia and the United Kingdom. As an Occupational Therapist, Todd has worked in a range of areas including acute public health, community aged care, rural and remote therapy services and specialist home modification. He specialises in business systems analysis and tailoring services and programs to suit customer needs.
Todd also has a long-term passion for improving the options for Specialist Disability Accommodation, and has a thorough understanding of the connection between disability supports and disability housing. Todd has an undergraduate Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy, and is working towards completing his Masters in Business Administration.
Todd is pictured with Anton, who lives with support from Cara in Supported Independent Living.
