Our People
Our People Are The Heart of Our Success
We believe that passionate, dedicated people make all the difference. Our team brings together a wealth of experience, knowledge, and care to support children, families, and communities across regional Western Australia. Every educator, leader, and support staff member plays a vital role in creating safe, inclusive, and high-quality early learning environments where children can thrive.
Kylie Helgesen
Chief Executive Officer
With over 25 years in early childhood education and care, Kylie is dedicated to ensuring every child in the Wheatbelt has access to high-quality learning experiences. She recognises the unique challenges of rural communities, where choice is limited, and consistency and community connection are vital.
Kylie played a key role in shaping REED’s regional model and has visited most services across the region. She’s passionate about supporting educators through career pathways and professional development to strengthen the workforce and encourage young people to stay in the region.
Her vision for REED is to nurture children’s confidence, love of learning, and individuality in warm, inclusive environments that support their social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
Steven Sizer
General Manager
Mick Tuteja
Finance Manager
Leah Bie
Operations Manager
Leah has worked in early childhood education and care since 2001, including 17 years as a Operations Manager.
Driven by a passion for inclusion, Leah believes every child deserves the best start in life. She is committed to creating quality programs and environments that support children’s development during their critical early years, setting them up for success at school and beyond.
Melissa Elliott
Assistant Operations Manager
Melissa brings 13 years of experience in early childhood education, including over 8 years in leadership roles focused on supporting children, families, and educators. She is committed to ongoing growth and maintaining high standards across REED services.
A passionate advocate for children’s rights and individuality, Melissa believes in their capabilities and the importance of nurturing, inclusive environments—especially in regional areas—where every child can thrive.
Vicki Abel
Human Resources Coordinator
With over 15 years of HR experience, Vicki brings a strong understanding of people management across a wide range of workplaces. She has supported small to medium businesses, not-for-profits, and commercial enterprises in four states, working with teams of all sizes.
Vicki is passionate about delivering practical HR solutions that help organisations strengthen their people practices and reach their goals.
Evelyn Houghton
Assistant Operations Manager
With over 30 years in early childhood education, Evelyn has spent 25 of those years in leadership roles. She holds qualifications in Mothercraft, Early Childhood Education and Care, and Leadership and Management.
Evelyn mentors and coaches educators to support positive outcomes for children, drawing on her deep knowledge of attachment theory and family engagement. She values strong parent-child relationships and sees the wider community as vital to a child’s development, particularly in regional WA. Evelyn is committed to child-led learning and creating nurturing environments where every child can grow with confidence.
Tracey Foster
Assistant Operations Manager
Tracey is a qualified early childhood professional based in the Wheatbelt. She’s passionate about supporting educators through professional development and sees REED as a platform for opportunities not often available to smaller services. Tracey values strong partnerships with families to create responsive learning environments.
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