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.
Our Chair & CEO
Susan Barbour
Chair
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.
Tim Ryan
CEO
Tim is an experienced leader across the not-for-profit, community and social enterprise sectors, with a strong track record in organisational leadership, stakeholder engagement and program delivery.
Tim has held senior roles including Chief Executive Officer of a youth organisation, Deputy Chair of state government committees, and in business development, bringing a practical and values-driven approach to leadership. He has extensive experience working with communities, government and partners to design and deliver initiatives that improve outcomes for young people.
A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Tim brings strong governance capability and a focus on sustainable organisational performance.
Tim is deeply committed to creating opportunities for young people to thrive. His leadership is shaped by his lived experience, strong community values and a belief in the power of inclusive, supportive environments to drive positive change.
Our Board
Rebecca Pizzuto-Nguyen
Director
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.
Chris Gatt
Director
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.
Denise Clark
Director
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.
Justin Cooney
Director
Justin Cooney is a lawyer working in industrial/workplace relations. Justin has been an adviser to the Victorian government, has worked in the APS and worked in a private legal practice. Justin currently works as a lawyer for the Transport Workers Union. He has been a member of the Aviation Industry Reference Committee and the Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Industry Reference Committee. He is a former president of the St Vincent de Paul Society Footscray Soup Van; a member of the committee of the Melbourne Sub-Branch of the RSL (Duckboard Club); as well as a long-standing supporter of Doxa Youth Foundation, as a valued Member and now as a Director.