Her Story
About Jillian
I have always believed that some of the best opportunities in life come from being willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Throughout my career, I have embraced opportunities to learn something new, even when I didn’t have all the answers. I’ve found that every new experience, and every person I meet has something valuable to teach me.
I’m incredibly grateful to have worked alongside leaders who have encouraged me to grow, trusted me with new challenges, and helped me recognize my own potential. Their leadership has shaped not only my career, but also the way I approach opportunities and relationships with others.
Outside of work, giving back is an important part of who I am. I enjoy fostering animals and helping with adoption events, volunteering monthly at nursing homes where I provide hair services to residents, and using the Be My Eyes app to assist people who are vision impaired. These experiences have reminded me that even small acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact. At the end of the day, I hope to be someone who is known not only for what I accomplish professionally, but for how I treat people, how willing I am to help, and the positive difference I can make wherever I am.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jillian
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having strong, supportive leadership and being willing to step outside of my comfort zone. Throughout my career, I’ve taken on challenges in industries and roles that were brand new to me, but I was always willing to learn. I believe every experience and every person I encounter has something valuable to teach me. Staying curious, embracing new opportunities, and finding something positive to take away from each experience have all played a big role in my growth, both professionally and personally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve received is to never close a door simply because you’re unsure of what’s on the other side. Some of the opportunities that have taught me the most were ones I initially knew very little about. I’ve learned to be open to new experiences, ask questions, and trust that I can figure things out along the way. You don’t always have to know exactly where you’re going to take the next step.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be a sponge and learn as much as you can from the beginning to the end of a project. There are a lot of different avenues this industry can go down, and paying attention throughout gives you a full circle view from the very beginning of a funding application to the grand opening. It's quite a ride that most on the outside don't get to see. So many people and organizations involved to make these ideas on paper become reality.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in affordable housing is finding ways to continue developing quality housing while navigating rising costs, limited resources, and the many layers of financing and regulations that come with affordable housing development. At the same time, I see a tremendous opportunity in the growing recognition of how important affordable housing is to the strength and stability of our communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value curiosity, resilience, and having a positive outlook. I’ve learned that you can’t always control what opportunities come your way or what challenges you’ll face, but you can control how you respond to them. I try to approach new experiences with an open mind, look for the lesson in difficult situations, and not be afraid to start something I don’t know how to do. I also value staying grounded and remembering what really matters outside of work. Success means more to me when I can continue growing professionally while also making time for the people, animals, and community that are important to me.
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