Kim Bertino to take on Big Fat Smile CEO role effective 12 December

The Board of Big Fat Smile has announced that Kim Bertino will take on the position of CEO effective 12 December 2022. 

A highly regarded professional in early childhood education sector, with more than 30 years’ experience Ms Bertino has held a variety of senior management and executive positions in both local government and not-for-profit organisations including Early Childhood Management Services and KU Children’s Services.

Currently Goodstart’s State Manager for NSW/ACT, Kim provides strategic leadership for more than 70 Goodstart centres and is a key representative for all NSW/ACT State Government and stakeholder engagement.  

Ms Bertino is a strong believer in on-going professional development and has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Master of Business Leadership and has also completed executive education at Harvard Business School. 

Ms Bertino is described as “a tireless advocate for children” who will bring “a deep understanding of the value of early childhood education” by Chair of Big Fat Smile, Jeff Harvie. 

“Our committed team and the thousands of families who rely upon our services will be happy to know that their new CEO is passionate about the provision of best practice in early childhood education settings to ensure the best outcomes for children, families, and early childhood professionals,” Mr Harvie said. 

Commenting on her appointment Ms Bertino said she was thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead BFS which provides families in the Illawarra and beyond with long day care, term-only preschools, and outside school hours fun clubs. 

“Big Fat Smile is a unique organisation, its foundations in the Illawarra are built on the work of the extraordinary teachers and educators who have each helped to create a sector-leading provider of early childhood education with a passionate focus on cultural and inclusion services,” she said.

“Since joining the Board in April this year, I have enjoyed learning more about BFS and the high-quality services it provides for children. The financial sustainability brought by the partnership we share with Goodstart Early Learning means we can continue to grow to support children in New South Wales and the ACT. 

“I look forward to playing my part in maintaining the DNA of Big Fat Smile, building on the work done by so many people and working with the team and key stakeholders to ensure we go from strength to strength.” 

Learn more about Big Fat Smile here.