Global tech and digital leader joins Swinburne’s Council

Swinburne University of Technology Chancellor, Professor John Pollaers OAM, has announced the appointment of global technology and digital leader, Karen Clarke to join the Swinburne Council.

Ms Clarke is an experienced corporate and board executive who has a strong reputation for her passion about the role digitisation can play in helping enterprises and their ecosystems prosper and be sustainable into the future.

Speaking of the appointment, Professor Pollaers said he was delighted Karen would be joining Swinburne Council to help guide the university as it continues to implement the Horizon 2025 strategy.

“Karen is a distinguished Swinburne alum and global executive with deep experiences across the disciplines of finance, digital and transformation at scale. Karen has a firm belief that learning should be integrated with experience, which perfectly aligns with Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning commitments to our students,” Mr Pollaers said.

“Karen is renowned for her digital transformation and technology experience as an accomplished executive in global technology organisations. Karen will bring valuable commercialisation and strategy execution expertise to Swinburne’s Council.

“Karen’s international experience in education and technology research and development, particularly with MIT and other North American and European universities, positions her as an extraordinary asset as a new council member,” he said.

Ms Clarke is currently Senior Vice-President, Head of Global Operating Effectiveness at Schneider Electric, a multinational company specialising in digital automation and energy management, bridging progress with sustainability. Her executive career at Schneider Electric has seen her leadership encompass many disciplines including finance, planning and information technology, helping the organisation to operate more effectively and profitably while enabling innovation and growth on a basis of trust and empowerment.

Ms Clarke said she was looking forward to working with Swinburne Council to help elevate the Horizon 2025 vision of ‘people and technology working together to build a better world’.

“As a Swinburne alum, I am passionate about the role education plays today. I strongly believe that students should be taught how, not what, to think and that students benefit more from industry experiences,” Ms Clarke said.

“I am excited about bringing my experience and insights to the Swinburne Council and supporting their evolution over the coming years,” she said.

Ms Clarke takes the place of outgoing Council member, Mr Andrew Dix, who retired from Council on 1 July 2022. She will join Swinburne Council on 1 October 2022.