Leadership team
Welcome to the Heart for Kids senior leadership team, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with dedicated staff and partner co-workers spread across various countries. We take pride in our strong foundation of volunteerism, as most of our team members generously contribute their time and expertise. Consequently, a significant portion of our funds is directed towards the children in our care, with only a minimal allocation for administrative wages.
At Heart for Kids, transparency is at the core of everything we do. We understand the immense trust our supporters place in us, and we are committed to being open and accountable in all our endeavours. Our mission is to deliver compassionate care and transformative opportunities to orphans and children facing poverty. Inspired by the call to serve from a higher purpose, we strive to extend love, support, and protection to the marginalised, particularly widows and orphans often considered the most vulnerable among usTogether, as a united leadership team, we are determined to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve, guided by our unwavering belief in the power of care and kindness.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of making the world a better place for these deserving children.
Leadership and Board Members
David Ryan, B. Min; Founder & Snr Leader and Board Member of Heart for Kids, has been a business leader all his working life. David is also an ordained pastor with Southern Cross Association of Churches.
He founded a company supplying the sign industry in the early ’80’s that is today a leader in the delivery of laser cutting & marking technology along with 3D printer technology. The company employs a team of 15 and is led by his Co-Director, wife Beth, and General Manager Geoff.
David’s first trip to China in 1996 was a life changer. He then studied for his ministry degree. He founded ChinaHeart in 2004 and in 2016 founded Heart For Kids who became the parent ministry as our service extended into new countries.
Beth Ryan Diploma in Training & Assessing. She is also the Financial Director and Office Manager of their business and a board member of Elijah House Prayer Ministry Schools.
Ken Lee, B.E(hons), PhD (Eng); Chairman of the Board, graduated as an engineer and went on to finish his PhD. Despite all the years of engineering education, he never worked as an engineer! Ken has recently retired as an IT professional from the finance and banking industry and is spending more time in the family business, which is guiding school-going children through their formative years of education.
Tom and Adele Chan, B.Sc; Board Members, are married with two teenage daughters.
Tom serves with Peter to oversee the finances. Both Tom and Adele have IT backgrounds with over 20 years of experience across the financial and media sectors. Together with their girls, the family is active in church ministry.
Adele has a passion and Heart for Kids, to see each child valued and grow to their full potential. Tom specialises in risk management, governance, financial and IT management, and is currently an Executive Committee member of the church council.
Jay Yoong BCom/LLB (UNSW) Board Member, legal, risk and governance experience in corporate and financial services. Jay is married and has three children. He sees children as a blessing from God, our creator. Jay has been serving at Wesley Mission since the early 1990s, having recently also served on the Board of a not-for-profit in education.
Peter Chung MABP, MBA, CPA, FCCA, Accountant
Clare Rattenbury Administration and Communications Assistant
The financial accounts of Heart For Kids, are reviewed by WSC Group – Audit Pty Ltd
Beyond the above Senior Leadership Team, we also have various people in countries including China, Singapore, Taiwan, England, the USA and Australia who provide wisdom and guidance in specific areas concerning Chinese culture and systems, childcare and humanitarian aid.
Child protection and safety is an important part of Heart for Kids ministry
The safety and well-being of those we serve are extremely important to Heart For Kids. Message us via our contact page for more information.
Heart for Kids Australia is a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not For Profits Commission with Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR) status. All donations over $2 to Heart For Kids are tax-deductible in Australia. Please ask about deductible donations in USA and England
When you donate your gift will be acknowledged by Heart For Kids. At the end of the financial year you will receive an approved receipt for taxation purposes. This receipt will summarise your giving to Heart For Kids during that financial year.
We value your support and thank you for every gift, large or small, received on the children’s behalf. You’re making a difference.
If donations for a nominated project are higher than expected and the project is oversubscribed we reserve the right to reallocate donated funds to other similar projects in need.
If you have any questions, feedback or complaint regarding our service or this website you may contact us via the contact form.
Helping kids re-write life stories and turn around futures
