Management

Senior Leadership Team

Sherryll Wilson

Chief Executive

After more than 25 years, my commitment to supporting tamariki and their whānau through quality early childhood education remains as strong as ever. Becoming a grandparent has only deepened my resolve to ensure that Kidsfirst continues to deliver the very best for the children who attend our kindergartens each day.

Since May 1995, I have had the privilege of leading Kidsfirst Kindergartens, drawing on my extensive experience in the education sector. I am a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, a member of the New Zealand Institute of Management, and have represented Kidsfirst on a number of organisations, working groups, and committees both locally and nationally.

In 2024, I was honoured to be awarded Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday list, an acknowledgement I am deeply grateful for.

The early childhood sector continues to evolve and bring new challenges. I am proud to work alongside an organisation that holds firm in its belief that early childhood education plays a vital role in shaping the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Senior Leadership Team

Karyn Willetts

Manager - Human Resources

I completed my Master of Science (Hons) majoring in Personnel and Organisational Psychology in 1991 and have since supplemented that qualification with a Diploma in Public Sector Accounting and a Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety.

My working career over the past 25 years has always been in the people field and within the service sector working with large and complex organisations such as NZ Police, CDHB and a private international engineering organisation before coming to Kidsfirst nearly 10 years ago.

My role is busy and varied but allows me to interact with staff and statistics on a daily basis – two of my favourite things! That, along with knowing that this organisation is a not-for-profit, with strong community values makes this the perfect role.