The REAIE Board
Membership on the REAIE Board is a voluntary position. As dedicated representatives of REAIE, Board members ensure good governance, shape the organisation’s strategic direction, and advocate for the organisations purpose, mission and values.
Board members contribute through Task Groups and collective decision making. Task Groups meet regularly and, in collaboration with the Operations Team, define project scopes, including budgets, timelines, and resource requirements.
The full Board convenes monthly to review the progress of Task Groups and address pressing matters. Each Board member participates in one or two Task Groups.
The work of REAIE relies on diverse perspectives, skills and dedication. Input from REAIE members and Network Groups, facilitated by Network Convenors, helps shape the organisations future directions.
Board members are elected for a two-year term. If you are interested in being involved with the REAIE Board, please click here.
Kate Mount - Chairperson
Kate Mount is a passionate Early Childhood educator with more than 40 years of experience and a Master of Early Childhood. She led the transformation of an ELC in Adelaide over 16 years, embedding the Reggio Emilia Approach and making it a key centre for the Re-imagining Childhood Project during Carla Rinaldi’s residency in 2012-2013. A long-standing member of the Adelaide REAIE Network, Kate has actively contributed to the Committee, now Board for nine years, including in the role of Professional Learning Convenor and currently as Chairperson. She has attended five Study Groups to Reggio Emilia and works to support teams with a focus on leadership, capacity building, and democratic practice in education. Through workshops, forums, and volunteering, Kate shares her knowledge and advocates for a re-imagined future in education.
Kirsty Liljegren - Vice-Chairperson
Kirsty Liljegren is a dedicated member of the REAIE Board, committed to reimagining education for a just society. As a co-convenor of conferences and research symposiums, she has played a pivotal role in creating spaces for educators to share innovative ideas influenced by Reggio Emilia. In 2023, Kirsty became Vice Chairperson, where her leadership fosters collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring diverse perspectives are valued. She is excited to be leading the Exhibition task group, bringing the Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material to educators, children and families al across Australia. Kirsty looks forward to working collaboratively with her fellow Board Members and the Operations Team to chart a course that ensures REAIE continues to be a beacon of hope in the field of education, driving positive change and transformative impact for education.
Fiona Zinn - Treasurer
Fiona joined the REAIE Committee, now Board, in 2004 and has proudly served in a variety of roles during this time. With experience as a teacher, leader, lecturer, researcher and consultant in early childhood and primary education in Australia and overseas, Fiona believes passionately in the work of REAIE to promote a new landscape of education for children in Australia. Fiona’s research into the impacts of Learning Environments as the Third Teacher unveils new possibilities for the synergy between Reggio Emilia Approach, the International Baccalaureate, and teachers' spatial literacy practices in international education contexts. Fiona believes professional learning is a key strategy in the growth of REAIE, providing meaningful opportunities for educators to connect, exchange ideas and grow practice together. Fiona also currently fulfils the role of Deputy Head (Early Learning - Year 1) at the Friends' School in Hobart.
Donna Seen - Secretary
Donna Seen brings almost 25 years of experience in lutruwita/Tasmania's public education system, with a focus on early childhood education. As Centre Leader at a Tasmanian Child and Family Learning Centre, she leads a multidisciplinary team supporting education, health and wellbeing of children under 5 and their families. With a Bachelor of Education (Honours) and a Graduate Certificate of Educational Leadership, Donna is committed to professional development and embedding Reggio Emilia principles into practice. Her passion for collaboration, mentoring, and innovation drives her to support others in their educational journey. Donna's dedication to increasing access to quality education for young children, especially those facing challenges, fuels her work. As a REAIE Board member since 2024, she seeks to contribute to shaping the future of early childhood education in Australia. Donna is the current Secretary and active member of the Exhibition and the Professional Learning Content and Facilitators task groups and was fortunate to attend her first study group to Reggio Emilia in 2023.
Ruth Wallbridge - Board Member
Ruth Wallbridge has extensive experience as a kindergarten teacher in community kindergartens, long day care, and crisis accommodation. Passionate about children's rights and helping all children reach their potential, Ruth has worked with the Reggio Emilia approach for many years. A member of REAIE since 2002 and a member of the Committee, now Board, since 2005, Ruth has led the International Network Project Group and been active in the Professional Learning, Conference, and Symposium Project Groups. She served on the Committee as Vice Chair for 4 years and Chairperson for 9 years. Ruth is currently the Board’s Political Relations and Advocacy liaison. She has led multiple study groups to Reggio Emilia and represented REAIE at the Loris Malaguzzi International Network. She participated in the inaugural Teacher Educator Training by Reggio Children (2019–2023). Ruth is committed to representing REAIE members and maintaining our strong relationship with Reggio Children.
Leanne Mits – Board Member
Leanne Mits is an experienced early childhood teacher and advocate for children, families, educators, and education. She has taught in rural and suburban communities in long day care, playgroups, kindergartens, and TAFE. Currently, Leanne works full-time as Nominated Supervisor, Educational Leader, and teacher in a not-for-profit kindergarten. As a REAIE Board Member, she has led project groups, Study Groups (to Reggio Emilia and New Zealand), and the Hundred Languages of Children Exhibition. Leanne also volunteers on other early childhood committees, highlighting her dedication to community and the not-for-profit sector. She was awarded Victorian Early Years Teacher of the Year (2019) and an Order of Australia (2022) for her work in early childhood education. Relationships, documentation of children's learning, and participatory pedagogies are central to her teaching and volunteer work.
Heather Conroy - Board Member
With more than 40 years experience in early childhood education, Heather is a passionate advocate for children's rights and potentials. Heather has taught in community kindergartens and primary schools, as well as tertiary settings across Australia and Singapore. She holds a Master’s in Leadership and Management. An REAIE Committee, now Board member since 2016, Heather has co-convened national conferences and research symposia, and currently serves as the Reggio Children International Network Liaison Representative. In this role, she collaborates with colleagues in Reggio Emilia on shared initiatives including conferences, study groups and online initiatives. Her leadership in establishing the Network Group in Singapore reflects her commitment to fostering collaborative relationships across the Asia-Pacific region reflects her commitment to building regional and global alliances which amplify REAIE’s advocacy. In her role as pedagogical coordinator, Heather promotes democratic classrooms, supporting educators in designing innovative curricula grounded in the values of the educational project of Reggio Emilia.
Ruth Weinstein - Board Member
Ruth Weinstein has over 45 years’ experience working in the early childhood sector. She has worked as a TAFE Lecturer and has been the owner and Director of two early childhood education settings in Sydney for the last 44 years. Ruth has attended 7 study tours to Reggio Emilia. Ruth has been a REAIE Committee, now Board, member since 2015. Ruth is a founding member of the NSW Eastern Suburbs Network group and is keen to use her current roles to encourage and support educators in their growing interest in the Reggio Emilia Educational Project.
Sally-Anne Polson - Board Member
With 25 years of experience in early childhood education and care, Sally has worked in regional Victoria, Melbourne, and the United Kingdom, and has particularly valued developing long-term relationships with children and families. In 2016, Sally completed a Master of Education (Early Childhood) which led to teaching in the tertiary sector for several years. As the Educational Leader at MLC Kindle, she promotes a culture of research through a centre-wide inquiry. Elected to the REAIE Board in 2024, Sally is eager to support the realisation of the Reggio Approach® in Australia. She currently supports task groups to progress the Exhibition and Professional Learning Content and Facilitators.
Koren Naylor - Board Member
Koren Naylor is an experienced educator and leader with over 25 years in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) across Melbourne and Ballarat. She is a passionate advocate for pedagogical leadership, professional learning, and understanding the needs of children, families, and communities, particularly in regional and rural areas. Since 2014, she has served as the Head of Early Years at the Centre for Early Education (CEEd) at Ballarat Grammar and has been the Network Convenor for the Ballarat REAIE Network and Discussion Group since 2020. Koren sees her appointment to the REAIE Board as an opportunity to give back to the organisation that has supported her professional growth and to contribute to its continued success. Currently, Koren is leading the task group to advance planning for the 2027 REAIE Conference.
Natalie Kluska - Board Member
Natalie Kluska is an experienced educator who has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach for over two decades. She has worked across both Independent and Government sectors and is currently the Pedagogy and Innovation Coordinator and a Primary Teacher at Bialik College. Natalie believes strongly in the power of education to create a more just and hopeful future. She aims to create environments where children are active, capable citizens, and where pedagogy fosters creativity, curiosity, innovation, and collaborative research. Natalie has facilitated numerous professional learning programs, including presentations on the Reggio Emilia principles within the primary setting. She has also been involved in research projects, working alongside Principal Investigators from Project Zero at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. A recent study tour to Reggio Emilia motivated her to join the REAIE Board, with a commitment to advocating for the rights of all children.
REAIE Annual Reports
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