Our People

Founder and Patron

Fr Joe Giacobbe

Father Joe set up the Doxa Youth Foundation in 1972 after his ecclesiastical work in Melbourne’s inner suburbs highlighted the plight of young people who did not have the financial resources, support or opportunity to have access to educational and recreational opportunities in a rural setting, thus the establishment of the Malmsbury Camp in 1976.

Father Joe’s original vision is still very much at the core of the Doxa Youth Foundation.  Since its inception over 50 years ago, the Victorian not-for-profit has grown from humble beginnings to an established and well-respected charity which operates across multiple sites and supports over 6,000 young people each year.

Board

Susan Barbour
Chair

[caw_accordion_c style=”minimal” expand_icon=”” collapse_icon=”” cssbox=”.vc_custom_1779591648109{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][caw_accordion title=”Read Profile”]Susan has over 20 years’ experience working in accounting firms in both Australia and overseas. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Australia, Susan worked in London for seven years and loved travelling around Europe performing audits in locations such as Monaco, Cyprus and Russia. Susan then worked in Vladivostok, Russia, for three years, heading up the office and international audit division of an internationally recognised mid-tier firm. Upon her return to Australia, Susan worked in professional accounting firms for over 12 years before recently setting up her own audit practice.

Susan audits a diverse range of entities including many in the not-for-profit sector.  In her role as chair on the Doxa Youth Foundation Board, Susan brings her commercial experience  and a proven track record in assisting organisations to achieve maximum results.[/caw_accordion][/caw_accordion_c]

Rebecca Pizzuto-Nguyen
Director

[caw_accordion_c style=”minimal” expand_icon=”” collapse_icon=”” cssbox=”.vc_custom_1779591657939{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][caw_accordion title=”Read Profile”]Rebecca has extensive senior management experience.  She is currently General Manager of Media, Entertainment and Sport with Telstra where she has worked for nearly twenty years.  She holds an MBA from the University of Melbourne Business School.[/caw_accordion][/caw_accordion_c]

Chris Gatt
Director

[caw_accordion_c style=”minimal” expand_icon=”” collapse_icon=”” cssbox=”.vc_custom_1779591664482{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][caw_accordion title=”Read Profile”]Chris Gatt initially graduated as an engineer and has completed the Australian Institute of Directors’ course. He is currently CEO of Australian Terminal Management, a joint venture of BP and UGL. Earlier in his career, Chris had management roles with BHP and Fosters. Chris is a bigger picture thinker who brings strong strategic thinking and management skills to the DYF board. Chris is married with three children.[/caw_accordion][/caw_accordion_c]

Denise Clark
Director

[caw_accordion_c style=”minimal” expand_icon=”” collapse_icon=”” cssbox=”.vc_custom_1779591670197{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][caw_accordion title=”Read Profile”]For the last 18 years, Denise Clarke has been working in schools with students on the autism spectrum including being campus principal of the Northern School of Autism. Prior to this, she held leadership positions as Principal of West Melbourne Primary School and the Principal of Baltara School. Her career has spanned mainstream and specialist schools in rural and metropolitan Victoria, including disadvantaged schools in the western suburbs as well as schools for students with intellectual disabilities; social, emotional and behavioural disadvantage; and students on the autism spectrum. Denise completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2009 with her thesis focus on “Timely Intervention” for student with challenging behaviours.

As a Director, Denise brings significant experience in strategic planning and implementation, program evaluation, policy development and financial management to Doxa. Denise is keen to ensure that policies reflect fair and effective distribution of resources so that Doxa can gain maximum benefit from our programs for the most disadvantaged young people in our community.[/caw_accordion][/caw_accordion_c]

Nikki Bull
Director

[caw_accordion_c style=”minimal” expand_icon=”” collapse_icon=”” cssbox=”.vc_custom_1779591678184{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][caw_accordion title=”Read Profile”]Nikki is a highly accomplished commercial and finance executive with extensive leadership experience across retail and transformation. A Chartered Accountant and General Manager at Endeavour Group, she brings expertise in strategic leadership, operational excellence, and driving business growth through innovation and transformation.[/caw_accordion][/caw_accordion_c]

Staff

Tim
Chief Executive Officer

Tom
General Manager – Camps

Stephanie
Finance Manager

Amie
Cadetship Coordinator

Nikita
Administration Coordinator

Malmsbury Camp Team

Michael
Camp Manager

Patrick
Programs Coordinator

Kellie
Activities Instructor

Bevan
Activities Instructor

Sarah
Admin Coordinator

Sarah
Catering Coordinator

City Camp Team

Kennedy
City Camp Manager

Shannon
Programs Coordinator

Jess
Activities Instructor

Loretta
Activities Instructor