SAI Executive Director Dr. Lisa Remy Announces Retirement
SAI Executive Director Dr. Lisa Remy has announced her retirement, effective next August at the end of the SAI fiscal year. Dr. Remy began her role with School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) on July 1, 2022, following nine years as the West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) superintendent. Her extensive career with WDMCS spanned over two decades, where she held various leadership roles before becoming superintendent.
When accepting the statewide position, Dr. Remy was eager to leverage her experience to support leaders across Iowa. “When I joined SAI, my goal was to connect, support, and elevate Iowa’s school leaders. I leave with immense pride knowing that together we have strengthened this community of leaders. I’m grateful for the relationships, growth, and collective impact we’ve achieved together.”
SAI’s Executive Committee President, Tim Felderman, believes Dr. Remy has not only accomplished that goal but much more.
“Dr. Remy's impact on PK-12 leadership in Iowa has been deeply impactful. Her authentic leadership style has engaged school leaders, government officials, students, and community members to further the mission of SAI and its Strategic Framework. Her unrelenting confidence in public education in Iowa and its leadership has been appreciated by educators, “said Felderman.
Key Accomplishments During Remy's Tenure
Under Dr. Remy’s leadership, SAI achieved record membership growth year over year and achieved high attendance at its annual conferences with more than 1,500 attendees at their 50th annual conference in 2025. A significant financial highlight was the revamped Corporate Partner program, which generated over $140,000 in revenue in 2025—a substantial increase from previous years.
Dr. Remy also spearheaded important technology and operational upgrades within the SAI office. These changes streamlined efficiencies and enhanced the conference room space used for professional learning. Furthermore, the launch of SAI’s It’s Been SAId podcast proved to be a vital new channel for member communication, achieving thousands of downloads across its 30+ episodes.
Perhaps most critically, Dr. Remy is recognized for the calm, supportive leadership she provided to both staff and members throughout her tenure. “Lisa has a grounding presence. Her steadiness, consistency, and dependability provide assurance and confidence whenever either or both are needed--her vibrational energy is always a 10!” shared Associate Executive Director — Professional Learning Dr. Dana Schon.
Search for the Next Executive Director
The search for Dr. Remy’s replacement will begin soon. The application process opens Monday, October 20, and closes Sunday, November 16, 2025. Interested individuals can find the job description on the SAI website starting Tuesday, October 14. SAI’s board plans to finalize a decision in early December.