Karen Clarke

After a 20-year career that spanned everything from journalism to sales, Karen Clarke decided to take a step away from her full-time job. She took leave from work to face her struggles with severe anxiety and depression. With the pandemic lockdown in effect and repetitive indoor activities beginning to wear, Karen along with her three children began brainstorming ideas. Both her eldest and youngest child, Julien, 25, and Simone, 17, identify as neurodivergent which Karen knew may be a barrier to their employment. She realized that without the proper support to fill in service gaps existing for people due to mental health, they would almost inevitably end up struggling to find or keep work. In August 2020, she incorporated ASpecturm to serve the neurodiverse community and career seekers with support services to help them find and retain employment by working with employers to create inclusive spaces where neurodivergent individuals can succeed.