Rakhi’s mission: giving every child a strong start in life

Since 2023, Khanna has been treasurer of FKA Children’s Services (fkaCS), a charity based in Abbotsford, inner Melbourne. The role has enabled her to put her recently completed Diploma of Governance studies to good use.

Founded in 1908 as the Free Kindergarten Union, fkaCS has played a central role in shaping early childhood education in Australia. Today, it supports educators with a strong focus on cultural inclusion and social cohesion.

Khanna, who is fluent in four Indian languages, is a long-time advocate for children from diverse backgrounds and has embraced the organisation’s mission. She brings to her role more than 20 years’ experience in the community sector and early years support, along with a master’s degree in commerce and several qualifications in community sector management.

“I’m super excited to have the limelight on my organisation,” she said.

Khanna said that fkaCS championed high-quality early childhood education while celebrating diversity. Its services include:

• a multicultural resource centre and members’ lending library
• professional development programs, such as coaching, consultations, workshops, community language support and tailored training
• a knowledge hub for early years educators.

As the treasurer and a board member, Khanna has overseen financial planning, strategic planning, and governance, helping ensure the organisation’s financial sustainability.

She said that her professional background had helped her in her board role and vice versa.

“Throughout my career, particularly in leadership and strategy roles within early years and community-focused programs, I have developed a deep understanding of governance, stakeholder engagement, and driving impactful change – skills that directly enhance my contributions as a board member.”

Khanna said her experience across the private, not-for-profit, local and state government sectors had helped her develop a “holistic” perspective.

At the same time, being on the board has sharpened her understanding of fiduciary responsibilities and risk management, supporting her professional role.

Khanna is early years coordinator at Brimbank City Council in Melbourne’s west and said she had gained from the “reciprocal learning between board leadership and professional practice”.

She said the fkaCS board role – her first – had been a “good fit”.

“I was eager to contribute my time and expertise to an organisation whose values and mission align with my deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Ensuring that all children have the best start in life is something I care about deeply.”

Khanna said that fkaCS has been a strong voice for inclusion for more than a century.

“The organisation’s impact goes beyond ensuring children are simply included – it empowers them to thrive in environments that celebrate their identity, culture, and diversity.”

Opportunities and challenges ahead

Khanna said Victoria’s $14 billion investment in early years reform presented an “exciting time” for the sector.

The expansion of three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten for every child was “a major opportunity for fkaCS, given its leadership in cultural inclusion”.

But she acknowledged that a big challenge would be to maintain fkaCS’s position as “an attractive and sustainable organisation within the constraints of limited funding”.

FkaCS, like many not-for-profits, relies on project and contract funding. This creates financial uncertainty and requires navigating the “changing landscape of state government funding contracts”.

“In the current fiscal environment, it is crucial to seize opportunities without compromising our values, mission, or vision. This means carefully curating the initiatives we pursue to ensure they align with our long-term impact and commitment to high-quality, inclusive early childhood education.”

FkaCS was working to demonstrate its value, she said, as new competitors – including interstate competitors – offered online support and training, sometimes at a lower cost.

Remaining strategic, visible, and ready to “seize opportunities” were important measures fkaCS would take.

Asked what she had learnt from undertaking the Diploma in Governance, Khanna cited a stronger grasp of:

• PESTLE analysis for informed decision-making
• risk management, policies, and governance for continuous improvement
• influential communication, including stakeholder engagement
• strategic planning and leading change
• effective recruitment and induction
• using negotiation to align teams with goals.

Khanna said she was thankful to the organisation CALD2LEAD, which had funded a scholarship to help her to undertake the course.

Asked what advice she would give her younger self, Khanna said, “Trust your drive to create change, stay true to your values, and never be afraid to use your voice!”