KU Executive Team

Sheridan Dudley Chief Executive Officer Sheridan was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of KU Children’s Services in June 2007. Previously she was Chief Executive of Job Futures Ltd, a national network of community based not-for-profit organisations providing a range of employment, training and support services to the most disadvantaged in communities across Australia. Sheridan has a strong record of achievement in the public and not-for-profit sectors, with a focus on sustainable community services and service delivery. She was General Manager of Camden Council in NSW, has been a Director of AUSTCARE, and has held a wide range of senior executive positions in the NSW and Victorian Premier's Departments and in the Northern Territory. She has also held a number of academic and management positions in post-secondary education including a year as Associate Professor of Management at a university in China. Sheridan has degrees in Arts and Law, a Post Graduate Diploma in Criminology and an MBA.

Chris Legg General Manager, Early Childhood Education and Care Chris is responsible for KU's Early Childhood Education and Care Division which includes Early Learning Inclusion, Child Protection, Family Programs, Professional Services, Early Language and Literacy Initiative (ELLI) and all Centres and Services. In the past Chris has worked as a Teacher, Director, and an Educational Consultant to a number of child care services. Chris is the author of "When Things Go Wrong - Managing Critical Incidents in Children's Services" a research in practice book published by Early Childhood Australia (2001). In 2005, Chris received a DoCS NSW Children's Week Special Achievement Certificate - Child Development Award for "making an extraordinary contribution to enhancing opportunities for children to learn and grow". In 2007 Chris received a Certificate of Appreciation as part of the ECA NSW Advocacy Awards for "leadership of the ECA NSW Branch and for being an outstanding advocate and ethical professional supporting all young children and their families". Chris is a member of the Board of Early Childhood Australia (ECA) and is vice-president of the Executive Committee of ECA NSW Branch. Chris held the position of State President of ECA NSW from 2000 to 2006.

Margaret Brodie General Manager, Corporate Services Margaret Brodie joined KU Children’s services in March 2008 as its first General Manager, Corporate Services. She is responsible for Human Resources, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Finance, and Facilities Management. Prior to joining KU Margaret worked in equivalent senior positions in the NSW Public Sector. This included positions with the Sydney Catchment Authority, Legal Aid, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. For many years Margaret was a Councillor of the NSW Institute of Public Administration Australia, serving for six years as Secretary. Margaret holds qualifications in Social Work, has a BA in Sociology and History, and a post graduate Diploma in Strategic Marketing

Karen Dawson Manager, Communications and Public Affairs 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 Manager, Community Programs