Gillham was born Warrensburg, Missouri, but raised in Seattle, Washington. Her experience in education expands over 25 years, founding and serving as the principal at Crook County Christian and the interim principal and superintendent at Umpqua Valley Christian School. After serving one year as Sutherlin High School's Graduation Coach, she became the Director of SVOA in 2018.

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Gillham is married and has four kids.

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