KU Executive Team

Christine Legg
Chief Executive Officer

Christine Legg was appointed to her role as Chief Executive Officer in April, 2011. Chris is an experienced early childhood professional who began her teaching career in South Australia more than 30 years ago.  During her career, Chris has worked in a variety of services including long day care and preschool and has held a number of positions including Teacher, Director and several management positions within KU.

Throughout her career, Chris has been actively engaged in promoting the value of early childhood education; the rights of children; and improving the status and standing of early childhood education as a profession. In recognition of her work, Chris has received a NSW Children's Week Award and an Early Childhood Australia NSW Advocacy Award.

Currently, Chris represents KU on a number of external government committees and sector forums. Chris is also a long term member of the Executive Committee of the NSW Branch of Early Childhood Australia (ECA), a Director of the National Board of ECA and a member of the CEO Institute of NSW.

Monique Beange
General Manager, Early Childhood Education

Monique has worked in Early Childhood Education for nearly 30 years as a Teacher, Director, KU Area Manager for the North East and North West Sydney services, as a TAFE lecturer and more recently in curriculum, inclusion and policy development within an international context.

Monique has spent time working in the education field in Qatar, in the Middle East, setting up and managing an Early Learning Centre and working with the Qatar government, within their Education Reform, to introduce and establish quality Early Childhood Education into the public education system.

Monique holds a Masters Degree in Special Education and a Diploma of Teaching in Early Childhood.

Monique is strongly committed to equity and inclusion, high quality and best practice, and is supportive of the implementation of the National Quality Framework.

Kim Bertino
Executive Manager, Early Childhood Strategic Improvements

Kim is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of new systems across the organisation, reflecting the National Quality Reform Agenda for early childhood education. These systems will support KU's early childhood workforce in engaging with the Early Years Learning Framework and implementation of the new National Quality Standards.

Kim commenced employment with KU Children's Services in March 2009 as Manager, Professional Services. In this role Kim was responsible for the implementation of the professional development program, including Annual Seminar, for all early childhood staff working in KU services.

Stes Stengos
General Manager, Corporate Services; Chief Financial Officer

Stes is the KU Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Corporate Services, responsible for the Finance, IT&T and Property departments.

Stes is an experienced and capable senior finance professional with relevant hands-on experience in financial operations and change management. He has improved efficiencies in past organisations through the revitalisation of their systems, processes and procedures.

Stes is passionate and committed to the provision of high quality and efficient support services to all stakeholders at KU.

Being passionate about the not for profit sector and possessing a strong commitment to early childhood education, Stes is highly motivated and results-driven. Tertiary qualifications include a Bachelor of Business, Australian Chartered Accountant and a Master of Business Administration.

Jane Robinson
Executive Manager, Human Resources

Jane joined KU in 2011 as Executive Manager, Human Resources. She has brought extensive senior management experience to the KU executive team particularly in the design, development and delivery of cost-effective and innovative people solutions.

Jane's experience spans the banking and finance, insurance and professional services sectors in both for profit and not for profit settings. Jane has also managed enterprise based Registered Training Organisations and supported the development of a number of award winning certificate programs.

Jane brings a strong focus on building organisation capability and in 2003 received a national award recognising her contribution to the development of employee professional development systems in Australia from the Australian Institute of Training and Development.

Jane holds a business degree and qualifications in Modern French and Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).

Karen Dawson
General Manager, Public Affairs and Development

Karen is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all KU’s marketing, communications and public relations activities, ensuring that KU is recognised as “the best there is” in early childhood education and care. Accordingly Karen oversees the management of the KU brand, media and advocacy opportunities.

Having joined KU in March 2008, Karen brings extensive experience in Marketing & Communications, Project Operations and Relationship Management developed within both the not-for-profit and private sectors. She also has a strong record of cooperatively engaging stakeholders to develop beneficial community/corporate partnerships.

Karen holds tertiary qualifications in Business Marketing, Public Relations and Event Management.

Poppy Brown
Executive Manager, Community Programs

Poppy Brown is responsible for managing programs which assist the inclusion of children with additional needs into quality education and care services, including children with disabilities and children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and refugee and humanitarian backgrounds. These include the KU Inclusion Support Agencies, National Inclusion Support Subsidy Provider, Northern Sydney Supporting Children with Additional Needs (SCAN) program and Adult Migrant English Program.

Poppy previously worked in project management roles with a variety of public and private sector organisations across Europe, specialising in change management, before joining KU in 2004.

Poppy has a Bachelor Degree in Business Economics and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales.