CATA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Director and Owner of Liuzzi Property Group
Alfonso Liuzzi, Director and Owner of Liuzzi Property Group co-directs an investment company in retail properties across the Australian Eastern Seaboard. Alfonso brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from the commercial sector to CATA. His daily involvement in corporate business activities provides the charity Board with resourceful direction, not only in the management of funds acquired, but also in working towards the foundation's vision of a tangible, successful and valuable reality.
Alfonso continues to the strategic direction of the organisation and translates his passion for community service into real action and change.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- CEO & Co Founder
- Founder and Visionary Behind Creative Art Therapy Australia ( CATA ), Seamlessly Integrate.
Caroline Eshak-Liuzzi, founder and visionary behind Creative Art Therapy Australia (CATA), seamlessly integrates her background in architecture and planning with a profound, personal evolution in the arts. Her transformative enquiry, which began after completing her Master's degree, led her to spend five years immersed in creative practice. This deep engagement with the arts unveiled their undeniable power to reshape internal realities and significantly improve mental health. This realisation became a beacon of hope for the children at Marysville Primary School, who had experienced overwhelming loss following the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Caroline's hands-on work in disaster relief shaped CATA's ethos and instilled a commitment to trauma-informed and person-centric practice that remains central to its mission today.
With this commitment, Caroline pursued and earned her Master's degree in Dramatherapy, bringing a new lens to CATA's service delivery. Her newly shared knowledge broadened the scope of creative arts therapies, strengthening CATA's ability to deliver solution-based, participant-centred interventions that address various complexities and mental health challenges across multiple sectors. Under her leadership, CATA has solidified its position as an industry leader, continuing to deliver transformative services that emphasise inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.
Caroline's revolutionary vision is to establish Australia's first Centre of Excellence in Creative Art Therapy, where the arts aren't just supplementary, but central to mental health care. This ambitious initiative seeks to transform mental health services, positioning creativity - through dramatherapy, dance, movement, music, and visual arts - as the cornerstone of changing lives. The Centre will be a beacon of excellence, where people experience care that is not only trauma-informed but inclusive and culturally attuned to the needs of diverse communities.
Under Caroline's leadership, CATA is poised to disrupt traditional mental health care models, pushing boundaries and setting new pathways in industry standards. Her vision brings the arts into direct conversation with health, creating a paradigm where creativity is seen as a powerful tool for emotional recovery, resilience, and growth. This Centre of Excellence will not only provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions but will also influence policy, advocate for the integration of the arts in healthcare, and serve as a national hub for innovation in mental health support. It will deliver services across the spectrum of mental health care, focusing on prevention, acute care, and recovery. It aims to reduce the incidence of mental health crises while offering tailored support for those in acute phases of illness and facilitating comprehensive recovery programs that promote long-term psychological resilience and well-being.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Board Member / Founder & Managing Director, Davidson Branding
- Managing Director of One of Australia
For the past 35 years, Grant has been the Managing Director of one of Australia's leading branding agencies, Davidson Branding.
Named in Australia's top 20 Business Leaders of 2021, he's worked with more than 300 Australian and international organisations, including 16 of the world's top 100 brands, 35 of Australia's top 100 companies and 9 Fortune 500 corporations.
Grant is the proud recipient of over 300 industry awards and ranked as ‘one of the world's most busy savvy designers' by Business Graphics New York.
Grant is a three-time Harvard Business School participant, completing studies in Sustainable Competitive Advantage; Business Strategy and Driving Digital and Social Strategy, is frequently published in industry publications and journals and is a renowned public speaker on consumer trends.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Treasurer / Managing Director, Global Investor Services Australia
Greg Keene joined CBRE Global Investors in 2006 and is responsible for developing investor client relationships and distribution channels within Australia and New Zealand.
Prior to joining CBRE Global Investors, Greg was Managing Director of the Centre for Investor Education, a high quality investment education business targeted at institutional investors. He spent 10 years with Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and its predecessors, managing the institutional sales and client service team during a period of substantial growth in client relationships.
Greg is instrumental in liaising with accountants and assists CATA on all fronts to implement all financial responsibilities and obligations. Greg regularly presents and motions financial reports to the Board and councils on best ways to carry out financial responsibilities.
With over 12 years of experience in human resources and office management, Helen is a passionate and dedicated people and culture manager who strives to create a positive, inclusive, and productive work environment.
At CATA, Helen is responsible for ensuring the seamless functioning of the workplace, and the safety and well-being of the entire team. In her role, she provides comprehensive support to various stakeholders, including our CEO, staff, Board Members, Creative Art Therapists, Volunteers, Donors, and Partnerships.
Her commitment extends beyond professional duties, as she has been an enthusiastic supporter and volunteer at CATA for 12 years. Through this involvement, she has developed a profound understanding and appreciation of the benefits of Creative Arts Therapies for mental health and overall well-being.
Job Titles:
- Director of Philanthropy at La Trobe University
Josie Haddrick is the Director of Philanthropy at La Trobe University and has over 16 years of experience in philanthropy and engagement. In her role, she leads initiatives to secure major gifts, foster donor relationships, and advance the university's strategic priorities through impactful fundraising efforts. Josie is passionate about data-driven and translational research and has a proven track record of working with individuals and organisations to support education, research, and community development. Her expertise lies in leveraging philanthropy to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Lia has over 14 years of teaching experience in both the secondary and primary school sector with various positions of leadership and pastoral care.
Lia also has had over 20 years experience in overseeing and managing all accounts, compliances, registrations and requirements for small civil works business.
At CATA, Lia is responsible for HR compliance, liaising with program collaborators on operational requirements, specialised administration for all NDIS and administers operational requirements for all placement students, volunteers and Arts Therapists. She is proficient in Xero and MYOB platforms, overseeing all accounts management including invoicing, payroll and book keeping. Upskilled in management platforms such as ZOHO forms and CRM, to name a few.
Lia is instrumental in the coordination of the day to day office administration and requirements.
Lia is passionate and values all creative arts therapies as a medium to improve and promote healthy wellbeing and positive mental health for all people.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Director of ESFAM Biotech
Currently director of ESFAM Biotech, Liz is driving Australian IP with various institutions to Global Commercial partnering. Her interests and passions lie in early stage start-ups to commercialisation.
Her compassion to lend a hand and assist others has led her to 20 years of contributing to Not for Profit organisations as an active volunteer/ambassador.
Liz brings forward thinking solutions to assist CATA solve complex issues. Focussing on smart use of technology, internal and external collaborations and quality engagement with supporters, potential funders and partners.
Melissa's childhood was predominantly spent in central Queensland, Australia. Moving to the Sunshine Coast with her family to finish year 12, she met her now husband at High school. Melissa married Nicholas in 199 5. Forward to 2007, three sons and now living in Melbourne, Victoria, Melissa and Nick purchased their first business, HLS Healthcare, where they both still work today.
In 2015, Melissa drew on her passion from the exposure across the healthcare industry and disability sector and founded Access Advisor Australia. Their mission is to break down barriers that exist by increasing awareness for an improved inclusive and accessible Australia. They connect the hospitality sector with the consumer with transparent information about offerings - ‘Know before you Go'
Now, 2024, HLS Healthcare continues to grow. From an original staff of 3 people, the business has now expanded to 40+ people. Melissa currently holds the position of CEO at HLS.
Melissa enjoys her time providing private business coaching and supporting entrepreneurs who seek growth and success. Melissa is a member of the Forbes Club Australia and regularly voluntarily chairs at networking events in her local area. Melissa is passionate about Mental Health awareness and Global business.
Melissa is an animal lover. Her ideal weekend is spending time with family and friends sitting around food, listening to music and playing board games whilst making moments into memories.