Jillian Duma
Jillian Duma is a Senior Associate Early Careers Specialist at Publicis Sapient, where she leverages her expertise in software engineering and program management to support early-career talent and foster professional growth. With a strong foundation in front-end development, Jillian has contributed to web applications across multiple industries, including retail, hospitality, and the public sector. Her technical proficiency spans Angular, React, Redux, Next.js, and Adobe Experience Manager, complemented by hands-on experience in web and graphic design through freelance projects.
Jillian earned both her Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts and Technology and an accelerated MBA in Product Commercialization from Rochester Institute of Technology. Her academic background reflects a unique blend of design, technology, and business, which she applies to create collaborative, efficient, and innovative work environments. Throughout her career, she has led projects that improve accessibility and user experience, including initiatives for the Health Resources and Services Administration and Marriott’s Homes & Villas platform.
Beyond her technical contributions, Jillian is deeply committed to cultivating inclusive and engaging office culture. She has served as Chicago Office Lead and an active member of Publicis Sapient’s Women’s Leadership Network, organizing events, mentoring colleagues, and supporting initiatives that empower women and early-career professionals. Jillian’s dedication to people, technology, and community underscores her holistic approach to professional growth and innovation.
• How to Be More Inclusive
• Rochester Institute of Technology - MBA
• Dean's List Recipient
• Publicis Sapient
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, adaptability, and the mindset I bring to every team: I strive to do my best work and consistently show up for the people around me.
Several key factors have contributed to my growth: strong mentorship early in my career, a competitive drive that has pushed me to achieve (including winning a company hackathon), and a commitment to lifting others through coaching and community-building. I’ve also embraced reinvention—transitioning from engineering to program management—to broaden my impact and create environments where people feel supported, particularly in early careers programs.
I thrive by combining technical credibility with people-centered leadership, always focusing on enabling others to succeed while delivering meaningful results myself.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is simple: stay flexible. Consulting exposed me to rapidly changing environments, new teams, and unexpected challenges, and I quickly learned that adaptability is the key to both longevity and success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to embrace the fact that career paths rarely follow a straight line—your journey can evolve as your interests and strengths develop.
Build relationships early; mentors can profoundly shape your trajectory. It’s normal if consulting or tech sometimes feels uncertain—focus on finding roles that align with how you thrive. Always advocate for yourself and for those coming after you, and never underestimate the power of community, especially in male-dominated tech spaces.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges I see in our field today include retention concerns and job security fears, particularly among early-career employees, the rapid adoption of AI which can create anxiety around skill relevance, and fragmented support systems within large organizations.
At the same time, these challenges bring tremendous opportunities. AI and automation are opening new pathways for innovation and smarter processes. There’s also a growing emphasis on culture-building and enhancing the employee experience, as well as increasing demand for leaders who can bridge technical expertise with people development. Emerging roles in program management, talent development, and early-careers systems offer exciting ways to make a meaningful impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are deeply intertwined:
Community – I’m passionate about building supportive, human-centered cultures.
Impact – It’s important to me that my work improves experiences for others.
Growth – I prioritize continuous learning and evolving professionally.
Equity – I strive to create fair, accessible pathways for early-careers talent.
Authenticity – I aim to show up as myself and encourage others to do the same.