Administration
Brea Connett – Executive Director
(Financials)
Brea Connett, was named Executive Director in December 2017. Her dedication and commitment to Northland Early Education Center’s mission has shown in her years of service with the program. She began her career at NEEC in 2000 working as an Assistant Teacher in the Blue Room (3 to 5 year old classroom) for over three years and as Lead Teacher in the Brown Room (2-year-old classroom) for four years after that. In 2007, Brea was named the school’s Program Director, where she spent 10 years leading a large group of teachers and staff, ensuring that every classroom met accreditation and licensing standards, with quality and inclusion being the number one priority. Brea will now lead NEEC in a new role as the Executive Director.
Brea was born and raised in Denison, Iowa and comes from a very large family with three biological brothers, two adopted brothers and two foster sisters. She moved to Kansas City in 2000 and earned her B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in child development and education from Park University. In 2009, she completed a Masters of Education in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In her spare time Brea enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeff, and four sons, Tanner, Jax, Lucian and Cannon.
As the Executive Director, Brea’s role is to oversee all operations of Northland Early Education Center, ensuring fiscal sustainability and organizational growth.
Tammy Dodd – Director of Programs
(Enrollment)
Tammy started at Northland Early Education Center in 2008. In 2017, she was promoted to Lead Teacher while working on earning her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. In February 2021 she was promoted to the position of Assistant Program Director. In May of 2023, Tammy earned her bachelor’s degree from Park University and then in December of 2023, Tammy was promoted again to Director of Programs.
Tammy loves working in the Early Childhood Education field; it is her passion! In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
As Program Director, Tammy ensures that all services meet accreditation and licensing standards and that families are satisfied with the quality of services they are receiving from NEEC.
Lauren Pitnick – Assistant Program Director
(Employment)
Lauren has worked at NEEC since February 2014. She started as an assistant teacher in a toddler room and was promoted to lead teacher in the Green room in January 2017. From there, she moved into the Lead teacher role in the Brown room, a 2-year-old classroom, in January of 2023. Lauren completed her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Park University in December of 2022. Lauren started as the Assistant Program Director in January of 2024. Lauren and her husband have a son and a daughter who also attended NEEC.
Natasha Lehman – Director of Development
(Fundraising)
Natasha Lehman began as a lead teacher at Northland Early Education Center in February of 2004 after receiving her degree in Middle School and Education, English and Speech from Southwest Baptist University. Her NEEC journey began as a Lead Teacher in the Green Room (1-year-old classroom) and transitioned with a group of students to the Yellow Room (2-year-old classroom) and then the Blue Room (3- to 5-year-old classroom). When those children were ready for kindergarten, she moved to the Brown Room (2-year-old classroom). Natasha was one of 50 recipients throughout the nation of the Terri Lynn Lockoff Child Care Foundation award in 2015.From the Brown room, she transitioned with another group of students to the Orange room (3 to 5 year old classroom), where she stayed until being promoted to NEEC’s, Program Director in December of 2017.
In December of 2023, Natasha accepted the position of Director of Development to continue sharing her passion for the mission and vision of NEEC through fundraising and community outreach.
In her free time, Natasha enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben and two children, Garrett an Georgia.
Cindy Humbird – Office Manager
(Tuition)
Cindy has been a part of NEEC’s team since May 1991. Cindy has two grown sons, Allan and Kevin and five grandchildren.
As Office Manager, Cindy is responsible for tuition deduction, greeting families, and other clerical duties.
Mary Shurtz – Office Assistant
(Food Programing)
Mary Shurtz began her position as Office Assistant in May of 2014. Mary has three kids, four grandkids and two great grandkids. She has a daughter in Texas that will add to her grandkids in the future, when she finishes nursing school.
As Office Assistant, Mary is responsible for the CACFood Program, maintaining staff files, and other clerical duties.
Mary Kate Demers – Accounting & Billing Specialist
(Accounting)
MaryKate earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Central Missouri and spent much of her career working in both public and private accounting. In 2026, she joined NEEC as the Accounting and Billing Specialist, bringing financial expertise, attention to detail, and a passion for maintaining accurate financial reports. She enjoys supporting the important work NEEC does for children and families throughout the community.
Outside of work, MaryKate enjoys spending time in nature, tending her Monarch-friendly garden, and bird watching with her husband, Ian. She loves attending country concerts with her daughter, Elizabeth, and can be found most weekends cheering on her son, Luke, at his soccer games. MaryKate is happiest when life and the bank reconciliations balance perfectly.
Northland Early Education Center Board of Directors
2026 Executive Slate
President – Valerie Clawson
Valerie Clawson is a Kansas City native and a graduate of UMKC. She has worked for one of the largest KC based companies for 17 years in several different roles and most recently in government operations.
She lives with her husband in Kansas city and their two children. Valerie is a dedicated mother of two, Lucas age 8 and Vivienne age 2. She is a fierce advocate for her own children’s healthcare needs. Through her own family’s journey, she has and continues to use First Steps and private therapy as well as school-based resources. She believes strongly in early intervention care and the amazing impact it has on a person’s life, which is why she is thrilled to be a part of NEEC.
Vice President –Joe Kamler
Joe Kamler works as a Project Manager for JE Dunn Construction Company in Kansas City. He has over 10 years of experience working with a variety of clients across the metro, including several non-profit and mission-driven organizations. Joe has a passion for building community in Kansas City, which goes beyond the brick and mortar buildings that he works on every day. Joe graduated from Missouri State University in Springfield, MO where he studied Construction Management. Joe lives in the Northland with his wife Jessi.
Treasurer – Jeni Schrimsher
Jeni Schrimsher owns and operates Voyages by Jeni, a full-service travel agency with clients located across the US and Canada. She was born and raised in the Northland and graduated from Missouri State University, but her passion for travel and a career in real estate investment trusts led her to Los Angeles, San Diego and New York City. Jeni traveled extensively across the US, Europe and Asia, to manage strategic partnerships, serving on the boards of regional and international life science associations as well as research and non-profit institutions. Jeni was thrilled to relocate back home to Kansas City in 2011, where she could start her own travel business and devote her spare time and energy to volunteering for institutions that benefit her hometown, like Northland Early Education Center, the Parkville Symphonic Band and Parkville Presbyterian Church.
Jeni joined the Northland Early Education Center Board in January 2018 after working on the annual Hangar Party committee for two years. Her son Henry is a graduate of Northland Early Education Center, so Jeni has seen firsthand the positive effects of a quality early education from Northland Early Education Center and how the fully inclusive classroom environment has enriched both of their lives.
Jeni joined the Northland Early Education Center Board in January 2018 after working on the annual Hangar Party committee for two years. Her son Henry is a recent graduate of Northland Early Education Center, so Jeni has seen firsthand the positive effects of a quality early education from Northland Early Education Center and how the fully inclusive classroom environment has enriched both of their lives.
Secretary – Jessica King
Jessica and her husband Chris live in Liberty with their two daughters, Kaylen and Clara, as well as their dog Scooter. After completing her undergraduate degree at Union University in Tennessee, Jessica completed her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Central Missouri. She is a dedicated Special Education teacher in Liberty Public Schools and has worked at the high school level for 16 years. Jessica takes on a leadership role at the Northland Job Olympics, a skills-based competition that hosts over 100 students annually to showcase vocational and interview skills to potential employers. In addition to her role in Job Olympics, she teaches a class for neurodiverse young adults with Authentic Connections, LLC focusing on life after high school surrounding all things “adulting.” Jessica is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and hopes that everyone has the opportunity to live their own satisfying lives.
2026 Board Members
Amie Francois
Amie Francois currently owns and operates Pediatric Smiles Dentistry alongside her husband, Dr. Ryan Francois. They are thrilled to be serving children’s health needs in the Northland. A native of Kansas City, Amie graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and then attended graduate school at the University of California-Davis. After graduating, she spent many years in both non-profit and higher education doing community outreach and fundraising for organizations such as the Crocker Art Museum and the University of California-San Francisco. She is excited to bring these skills to the Fund Development Committee.
Amie and her husband live in Liberty with their two young sons, Evan and Ethan. Seeing the positive effect of early childhood education on both of her children has made Amie a passionate advocate for such programs and she is excited to contribute her energy and expertise to the Northland Early Education Center.
Michelle Marriott
Michelle litigates patent, trademark, copyright, licensing, and trade secret issues for ERISE IP, P.A. She has handled cases at trial and on appeal, in state and federal courts and through \arbitration, representing both plaintiffs and defendants.
Michelle graduated summa cum laude with undergraduate degrees in Journalism and Business Administration from the University of Missouri. Michelle attended Vanderbilt University Law School, where she was the managing editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law and was a justice on Vanderbilt’s Moot Court Board. After law school, Michelle served as a law clerk to the Honorable Duane Benton on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and on the Supreme Court of Missouri. She began her career in private practice as a litigator at Baker Botts LLP in Dallas, Texas.
Michelle’s recognition includes earning the designation of Rising Star from KC Business magazine in 2014. Michelle is active in the community and has served on Northland Early Education Center’s board of directors since 2012.
Megan Danner
Kevin Fossland