Clare Steele is an experienced executive leader with a strong record across a range of industries in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors.
Originally from the Blue Mountains, Clare studied Mechatronics Engineering at the University Western Sydney and went on to a career in business and banking, working as a consultant at Accenture and a senior associate at Macquarie Bank.
Clare is a warm and empathetic leader who derives great joy from coaching people to grow and succeed. She is also an experienced project manager who consistently delivered multi-million dollar programs with technical skill and professionalism.
In addition to her successful business career, Clare earned a Master of Divinity from Sydney Missionary and Bible College in 2012 and has worked for more than a decade in Christian ministry and in the not-for-profit sector. She has a deep love for children’s ministries and the local church and combined her passions in a number of roles, creating new strategies to enable churches to more effectively serve their communities.
With her husband, Matt, a minister at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Five Dock, Clare led a growing and vibrant church community for more than a decade, coordinating ministry opportunities and events with humility, hospitality and a never-failing sense of humour.
A skilled communicator and collaborator, Clare thrives when leading teams to set vision, overcome challenges and grow together through the process. In three years as Chief Operating Officer at Anglican Deaconess Ministries, Clare helped oversee the launch of the School of Theology, Culture and Public Engagement, the new office opening at St. Andrew’s House, a series of new Mary Andrews College courses, annual funding events, and numerous other ministries.
Then, in 2018, she travelled to the Philippines with a group from St. Alban’s and witnessed the power of the local church to release children from poverty. Clare sensed God’s call to move into international development to serve children and churches all around the world—and just over 12 months later, she was appointed Compassion Australia’s Chief Executive Officer.
Clare, Matt and their three children moved from Sydney to the Newcastle area in 2019. Clare is a proud mum, an avid reader, renowned baker (with a famously secret sourdough starter) and an enthusiastic cyclist.
She is thrilled to join Compassion Australia as CEO and looks forward to building on the organisation’s strong foundation to equip the Australian church to grow and to serve children and communities in need.
Clare has a clear vision for growth and a heart to build fruitful partnerships. She is excited to see all that God will do in Australian churches and in the lives of generous Australians, as we work together to make a difference for millions of vulnerable children around the world.