MEMSPA Staff
The MEMSPA staff is here to support your leadership journey.
Dr. Shanna Spickard
Phone: (517) 694-8955
Email: shanna@memspa.org
Dr. Spickard has dedicated over 25 years to education, spending nearly two decades serving as a building and district leader. Having served as MEMSPA President (2015-16), she returns with deep institutional knowledge and an unwavering commitment to supporting school principals through leadership development, advocacy, and collaboration.
Dr. Spickard most recently served as Chief Communications Officer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina and previously as Superintendent of DeWitt Public Schools. Her leadership journey also includes serving as a building principal for 15 years.
She earned her Doctorate and Educational Specialist degrees in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, Master’s degree in Communication from Michigan State University, and Bachelor’s degrees in Education and Communication from Ohio University.
Kimberly Gillow
Phone: (517) 694-8955
Email: kimberly@memspa.org
Kimberly joined the MEMSPA staff as the Associate Executive Director in 2024. 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.
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, an instructional coach and an administrator. In 2023, she retired from the public schools as the Principal of North Creek Elementary in Chelsea. 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. She worked as a literacy consultant for National Geographic Kids and held many MEMSPA positions in her region including: President, President-Elect and Treasurer.
Sarah Bentley
Phone: (517) 694-8955
Email: sarah@memspa.org
Sarah Bentley retired in June 2024 after a distinguished career in education, most recently serving as principal of Spring Mills Elementary, a K-5 school in Huron Valley Schools. Prior to her work in HVS, she led Heritage School in Stockbridge as principal, bringing dedication and vision to each role. Sarah began her career in her hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, where she spent 22 years teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 6th grades. Throughout her career, she was an active leader in the educational community, serving as Vice-President in Region 8 and as Professional Development Chair and board member in Region 7.
Now retired, Sarah continues to reside in Chelsea, where she works as the Director of Early Childhood and Community Learning. She is very excited to be part of the MEMSPA team to support our leaders throughout Michigan.
Alice Reinke
Phone: (517) 694-8955
Email: alice@memspa.org
Alice joined the MEMSPA team as an Executive Assistant in April 2025. She is proud to contribute more to the organization that was always a meaningful part of her professional life. Prior to working with the MEMSPA team, she served as a public school educator for over 25 years as an elementary teacher of Spanish, literacy support, Reading Recovery, and as an administrator. A lifetime of working with at-risk students has focused her efforts to learn more and do more to support students emotionally while scaffolding the academic skills to help them succeed. In 2021 she retired from the public schools as the principal of Highview Elementary in the Crestwood School District.
Since her retirement, Alice has been working at Growth Works in Plymouth. She is part of a 2-person team facilitating work with public school districts in Wayne County as part of the Hope Empowerment Coalition. Their mission seeks to prevent youth suicide while battling the stigma surrounding depression and mental health.