Our Leadership Team

Sonja Walker – Director
Sonja has been a qualified teacher for more than 20 years. She has extensive experience in schools, is particularly committed to the support of children with additional needs and has served on the Board of children's charity Lifestart. Sonja is a talented educator who quickly develops rapport with children of all ages. Her warm and friendly personality makes her a popular favourite with students and parents. Sonja leads our large team of qualified early childhood, primary and high school teachers, supports children and families through our innovative Individual Learning Support initiative and is also responsible for the co-ordination of Kids First's Community Service programs. Sonja is an accredited presenter of well known parenting and behaviour support programs such as 123 Magic and Emotion Coaching and Engaging Adolescents which she shares with parents in schools, pre-schools and corporate environments.  In addition to her role as the director of Kids First, Sonja is an accomplished writer on children's affairs, sought after seminar presenter and award winning business leader.

Angela Kinsella-Ritter – Allied Health Manager / Speech Pathologist
Speech Pathologist Angela Kinsella-Ritter is a specialist paediatric therapist who is passionate about early intervention and the positive impact it has on children’s later language development, literacy, numeracy and overall academic achievement. Her vast professional experience has included senior roles in community health and disability services. She has worked extensively with children with special needs and is an award winning researcher. A leading clinical and in-service educator in the field of Speech, Language and Literacy, Angela is well known throughout Australia and New Zealand for her work. She has conducted extensive hospital and university based studies into the links between children’s language and literacy and in the various leadership roles that she has held, has supported hundreds of Speech Pathologists with training and professional development. Angela is a member of our government approved Helping Children with Autism and Better Start team. As the leader of Kids First's multi-disciplinary children's health team, Angela coordinates services ensuring that Best Practice standards and the most current evidence based therapies are offered to children in our care.