Carla Manini Rowden is Head of Advice and Support at the National Autistic Society. Carla is currently part of the transformation of our advice and support services for autistic people and their families as we aim to reach more people and offer guidance on a greater range of subjects.  

Carla graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA (Honours) degree and has worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, joining the National Autistic Society in 2005. Carla feels her professional experience is very much enhanced by her personal experience as a parent, and she is still learning every day.  

As well as being passionate about challenging discrimination and injustice inside and outside of her work, Carla is an unabashed St Mirren FC season ticket holder. Carla is very much looking forward to not only chairing part of the Professionals’ Conference but also hearing and learning from our knowledgeable and experienced speakers.