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.