Leadership Matters

You are invited to join the Leadership Matters legacy!  Over 300 school leaders have participated in MEMSPA's Leadership Matters programs over the years.  In 2026, MEMSPA's 100th year, we will kick off cohort 16 of this transformational learning experience. The Leadership Matters program is frequently described by past participants as “the best learning experience they have ever had”!  In fact, MEMSPA has proudly graduated over 300 leaders from the Leadership Matter’s program.

This powerful cohort learning experience is designed specifically for school leaders who are eager to grow, connect, and lead with purpose. Through powerful in-person sessions, inspiring facilitation, and a strong network of peers, Leadership Matters will empower you with the tools, insights, and confidence to thrive in your leadership journey.

Why Join Leadership Matters?
✅ Grounded in real-world school leadership challenges
✅ Builds leadership capacity through reflective practice and collaboration
✅ Connects you with a statewide network of dedicated school leaders
✅ Aligned with MEMSPA’s commitment to developing effective, confident, and connected principals

*Leaders in this program also receive coaching support from the facilitators throughout the cohort.

About the Facilitators

Kimberly Gillow joined the MEMSPA staff as the Associate Executive Director in 2024. Prior to working with the MEMSPA team, she worked as a public school educator for 27 years in the roles of a speech-language pathologist, a teacher, a literacy interventionist, a K-12 instructional coach and an administrator. Kimberly graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree, double majoring in Elementary Education and Speech-Language Pathology and masters' degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and Educational Leadership.  Kimberly is a MEMSPA Certified Mentor/Coach and also co-facilitates MEMSPA's Mentoring/Coaching Certification Program. She aims to empower, support and celebrate our school leaders, while representing MEMSPA at the state and national level in a way that promotes continuous improvement in our schools. Kimberly is a Leadership Matters alumni (cohort 9) and is honored to have the opportunity to partner with Jon to continue sharing this valuable experience with our leaders.

Jonathan Wennstrom is the proud principal of Riley Upper Elementary in Livonia Public Schools, servicing 650 fifth and sixth grade students. He has just finished his 30th year in education and most recently served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for three years as the Zone 6 Director (Michigan, Wisconsin & Iowa). Prior to that he served as the state representative for NAESP. Jon has been involved with MEMSPA for many years and served on the board of directors as the Region 1 representative, before serving as MEMSPA president in 2020-2021. He is also a Leadership Matters alumni and is excited to partner with Kimberly to continue the tradition of excellence that has been established through this program!