Monkey Baa welcomes two new Board members: Kai Kasad and Bridgette Van Leuven
We’re thrilled to welcome two new Board members to Monkey Baa Theatre Company: Kai Kasad and Bridgette Van Leuven.
Both bring valuable leadership and fresh perspectives from Victoria, strengthening Monkey Baa’s national outlook and connection to Melbourne’s creative and education communities. Their appointment supports our ongoing mission to create outstanding theatre experiences for young people across Australia.
Kai Kasad is an MBA-qualified, CPA Associate with more than 25 years’ experience leading finance, operations and corporate services across the professional services sector. He has delivered large-scale projects in systems implementation, restructuring and profitability modelling, and is recognised for his heart-centred leadership and commitment to operational excellence.
Kai is also an active volunteer. He has served on the Victorian Executive Committee of the Australian Legal Practice Management Association (ALPMA), is a sight guide for Achilles Club – a charity supporting people with disability to engage in physical activity – and regularly runs long-distance events to raise funds for Australian and international causes.
Bridgette Van Leuven is Head of Learning Experiences at the University of Melbourne’s Museums and Collections Department, where she leads public and secondary school programs across the Potter Museum of Art, Buxton Contemporary, Science Gallery Melbourne and the STEM Centre of Excellence.
Her past roles include Associate Director at Asia Education Foundation and over a decade as Head of Children, Families and Creative Learning at the Sydney Opera House. Bridgette has also worked with Arts NSW, Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Festival, and co-founded Toy Diplomacy. Her work centres on equity, creativity and young people’s right to meaningful, high-quality arts learning. She currently serves on the Board of Erth.
Professor Judith McLean, Chair of Monkey Baa, said:
We’re delighted to welcome Kai and Bridgette. Their insights and experience will enrich our governance and help strengthen Monkey Baa’s role as a truly national company that puts young people at the heart of everything we do.
Kevin du Preez, Executive Director of Monkey Baa, added
Having Kai and Bridgette join the Board expands both our thinking and our reach. Their shared commitment to young people and belief in the power of the arts is deeply aligned with Monkey Baa’s purpose.
With their expertise and energy, we look forward to what’s ahead.
Meet our other amazing Board members here.
