Our Leadership Team

Sara Donoghue
Executive Director Clinical Services

Sara Donoghue is the EAS Australia Executive Director of Clinical Services.
Sara is a Senior Speech Pathologist and Director of Early Childhood Intervention Australia Victoria/Tasmania; she brings with her a wealth of local and international experience in supporting the lives of children and families living with autism.

In addition to working within Australia, Sara has worked in Ireland for eight years and the UK for two years as a speech pathologist and manager in the disability sectors. Sara is passionate about travel, learning about different cultures and integrating this into clinical practice, to nurture children through a multidisciplinary approach that aligns with their unique interests, skills and potential.

Robert Blight
Executive Director of Operations

Robert (Robbi) Blight, GCBA, has over 15 years of leadership experience within the allied health/disability sector, working with children, young people and adults with a disability, and in particular, people diagnosed with autism. 

Throughout his career Robbi has held a number of roles ranging from intake worker, administration management, client liaison, practice manager and business manager which has helped him develop superior knowledge of multiple operational functions and principles, including finance, customer service, staff utilisation, and employee management. 

Being provided the opportunity to work alongside some of the sector’s more accomplished leaders, Robbi understands how to implement and streamline new structures and roles to increase efficiency whilst supporting rapidly shifting business demands whilst effectively managing teams to achieve organisational goals that are cost effective, functional and innovative. 

With his strong working knowledge of industry regulations and proven ability to develop solutions that lead to increased productivity, paired with his enthusiastic communication and leadership skills, Robbi joined the EAS family and with the support of the team, will help increase a higher level of client-centered support services throughout Australia.

Orla Murphy
Executive Director of People, Culture and Partnerships

Orla has more than 30 years’ experience including 18 years in the disability sector working with children and families living with autism.

She has also volunteered in the aged care sector. Orla has worked in community services, education, events, and HR and has 15 years management experience with 7 of those as an Executive.

Orla has a proven track record in building strong relationships within the disability sector and all levels of government.
Orla is passionate about working with communities to make positive change to people’s lives. Her focus is the health and wellbeing of children and their families, as well as community understanding and awareness. She is committed to EAS’s work to grow Australian services, including the introduction of Allied Health Services and clinic-based service delivery enabling Diagnostic services. 

Orla is committed to best practice, and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards framework and is excited about the lead up to EAS being registered in the NDIS and ensuring the NDIS standards are being met throughout EAS. 

Jenna White
Behaviour Services State Manager

Jenna White is the Clinical Director at Early Autism Services in Melbourne.
She has worked in the field of autism since 2009 and has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, an Honours degree in Psychology, and a Masters of Music Therapy from universities in South Africa, where she is originally from.

She is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and has served for several years on the board of directors for the Behavioral Intervention Certification Council in the United States. She joined the EAS team in March 2020 and is passionate about continuing to support families on their journeys and helping children reach their fullest potential.