Her Story
About Jill
I started my career path with a focus on law and political science in college, where I was very interested in working in family law and becoming a judge. I did a lot of work for CASA, advocating in family law, as well as serving on the Legal Aid Board of Directors while I was in school. During that time, I also did extensive fundraising strategy work with various organizations, building out budgets and finding funding, and I absolutely loved that aspect of it. Then I volunteered for a local election to do some campaign staff work, and I fell in love with talking to the public, talking to voters, and encouraging people to get out and vote. I realized that although I had a passion for family law, it could be very sad with a lot of very sad situations, and once I started doing more political work, I was happier and not so mentally drained when I came home. It was exciting. So I started working in political strategy, and because political times fluctuate depending on the year, I also started doing strategy for businesses and nonprofits as well. Since then, I've worked well over 100 campaigns across 45 states, from small little mayor elections all the way up to presidential elections. I've met 3 presidents, many governors and senators and congressmen. I was good at it, and I am good at it. I love strategy and helping people accomplish their goals, whether it's campaign goals, fundraising goals, or business goals. What sets me apart is that I was raised Mennonite, Amish, growing up in a small little mountain community with no politics in the home, and I am still not registered to vote. I have my own political beliefs and I'm a woman of faith, so I let God sort out the political things, but it's exciting to work on both sides of the aisle. I've done work on both sides. I think both sides have really great points, and I also think there's some things both sides are doing wrong. I think that's what helps me, because I just see it from both perspectives, and sometimes people are too caught in their own belief systems to be able to think objectively.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jill
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't let anything hold you back. If you want it, go for it, even when everybody is saying, oh, that's not possible. I am a firm believer in being able to be a mother as well as have a career. My son traveled with us for many a year. Even single moms, even if you have children, they think that holds them back on certain things, but I've been firm on trying to normalize children in the workplace when necessary, when it can be, when it's safe for them. In the industry, people have gotten used to my son being with me, which is new for them, and it's kind of paved the way because there's a couple more women that are coming up that also have their children with them. So I think whatever you might find as a disadvantage isn't necessarily a disadvantage. Just finding the right way to go about it, and just keep pushing forward, even when people are doubting you.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think it's been difficult as a woman in this industry, especially in some areas of the United States. They're very men-focused, and sometimes they have the opinion that a woman isn't as experienced, or I don't want to take advice from a woman. So I think that overcoming those obstacles has been the most difficult thing. Thankfully, as the years went on, I've become more convincing and gaining their confidence in my abilities earlier on.
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