About us | Sarina Russo

About the Sarina Russo Group

In 1979, Sarina combined inspiration and desperation to open a small typing school with just nine students. On graduation, she promised all the students jobs and she delivered.

The ability to execute is what the Sarina Russo brand stands for and why people have trusted it for over 46 years.

Today, the Sarina Russo Group employs over 500 staff and is a global leader in education, employment and training.

Our history

Our numbers

In partnership with Australia’s government employment programs, SRG drives the engagement and well-being of people

40+

Years of helping
job seekers and employers

100,000+

Australians placed
into employment since 2015

11,000+

businesses supported
across the country since 2015

Our Services

Workforce Australia
Sarina Russo Job Access operates the Workforce Australia contract with over 40 sites in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. Sarina Russo Job Access has supported over 10,000 participants secure employment since 2022. 
Disability Employment Services
Over 8,000 people with a disability have been supported since 2006.
Self-Employment Assistance
Over 2,000 people have become their own boss since 2022. 

Sarina Russo Institute

A Registered Training Organisation educating over 10,000 Australian and International students each year in vocational education and English language courses.  SRI delivers industry-focused accredited and non-accredited training, mentoring and job placement services that meets the skilling needs of the industry.

Sarina Russo English

Educates thousands of international students in English Language education.  Students successfully gain skills and experience to further their study at University or gain a desired career outcome through up-skilling.

James Cook University (JCU) Brisbane

Delivers programs through a management agreement between Russo Higher Education Pty Ltd and James Cook University. Since March 2006, over 7,500 students from 88 countries have studied foundation, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. 

Russo Business School

Our unique focus on building leaders, gives our students the edge that they need to continue their studies at university or to enter the workforce with that x-factor.

Joblinx

Is a specialised recruitment agency offering exclusive student services to provide work experience, internships, part time and full-time employment opportunities.

Sarina Russo White House

Commercial cleaning and maintenance business  based on five principles – the right communication, the right supervision structure, the right scheduling, the right staff and the right equipment and materials.

Sarina Russo Foundation

The Sarina Russo Foundation sponsors and supports activities to alleviate disadvantage in our local communities through the power of education, employment, health and well-being.

Meet our team

The Team

Founder & Managing Director - Sarina Russo Group

Sarina Russo AM

Sarina's passion, persistence and self-belief transformed her from a fired legal secretary into a fired-up international entrepreneur in education, training and employment. For over 45 years, Sarina has grown her typing school into a global business, enhancing hundreds of thousands of lives across Australia and the world, and creating a lasting impact on the industry and the communities the company serves. 

CEO - Sarina Russo Group

Kathleen Newcombe

Kathleen‘s a passionate advocate for lifelong learning, Kathleen has over thirty years of experience in the Higher Education, Vocational Training and Employment sectors both in Australia and the USA. Kathleen also spent three years in leadership roles in the Insurance industry where she successfully managed a Health Insurance business catering to the International Education sector.

National Human Resources Manager - Sarina Russo Group

Maria Berlese

Maria’s skill set is to attract and develop the best talent in the education, training and employment industries. Maria has the responsibility to foster the careers over 1,000 professional and dedicated staff – in doing so she directly influences the lives, and careers, of tens of thousands of people every year.

CEO - Sarina Russo Group (Employment)

Mark Berlese

Mark‘s is an absolute motivational powerhouse when it comes to enhancing the lives of Sarina Russo’s customers. His can-do leadership style sparks new ideas that deliver sure-fire results for customers – getting them that job. Mark has undertaken executive studies in the USA at Stanford, Cornell and Harvard University in the areas of Leadership, Marketing and Human Resource Management.

CEO - Sarina Russo Group (Education)

Michael Pennisi

Michael is a strategic operations and technology leader with over 13 years of executive experience in education, employment services, and digital transformation. Michael is the Chief Executive Officer of the James Cook University Brisbane campus. Michael has completed his Executive MBA from the University of New South Wales, and executive studies at Harvard Business School in Digital Platforms. 

Legal Counsel - Sarina Russo Group

Justin Sharp

Justin has 20 plus years’ legal experience acting exclusively for clients in the Employment, Education and Health sectors. Justin has an in-depth understanding across these sectors including contractual requirements, governance and regulatory, privacy, data security and risk management.

Legal Counsel - Sarina Russo Group

David Ormesher

David is a highly respected legal professional whose expertise underpins the strength and integrity of the Sarina Russo Group. As Legal Counsel, David provides strategic guidance across corporate compliance, property assets and industrial relations, ensuring the organisation operates with confidence and clarity.  He holds an undergraduate degree under scholarship with Tusculum University (U.S.A) and a Juris Doctor from The University of Queensland and brings over 20 years’ experience in legal practice, offering pragmatic advice that supports sustainable growth and sound decision-making across the Sarina Russo Group of companies.

CFO - Sarina Russo Group

Richard Robertson

Richard is an experienced finance leader and Chief Financial Officer of the Sarina Russo Group, overseeing financial strategy, performance, compliance, and governance across the organisation. He brings senior leadership experience from PwC Australia and KPMG Australia, along with international advisory and audit expertise that supports strong financial stewardship and informed decision‑making. Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Bradley University and is a Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. 
CISO - Sarina Russo Group

Miguel Flores Rubio

Miguel has extensive experience in Cyber Security, over an international career of over 10 years spanning North America and Australia. Miguel has deep experience helping organisations navigate complex IT and Cyber Security challenges. Miguel leverages his technical and business background along with Cyber Security certifications with an understanding of business drivers to optimise IT and Cyber Security capability in complex environments.

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13 15 59

Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 5.00pm

Sarina Russo Group acknowledges the First Nations Peoples of this Country, the traditional custodians connected to the land, water and community on which we live, work and help others to live their best lives. We also pay respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, who strive to build a better and more sustainable future for future generations to come.