My Story
A lifetime of learning
As Albert Einstein once said “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.”
I’m Jill Ross, and over the years I’ve spent my entire life and career learning. Initially, I assumed I would learn in school and then apply that knowledge to life, but that isn’t really how it works, is it? What we learn in school is only the foundation we use for life-long learning, the kind of learning that leads to experience and eventually a sort of wisdom that can then be passed to the next person.
My path to sharing what I’ve learned started in the U.S. Navy, where I discovered what it means to learn and lead under pressure, show up with integrity, and get the job done, even when things get messy. Those lessons never left me. They’re still at the core of how I work today.
After I left the Navy, I moved into clinical healthcare as a medic and SAR diver before finishing college and pursuing executive leadership roles, where I’ve spent years helping organizations navigate growth, change, and the kind of complexity that keeps things interesting. These roles are also where I found amazing mentors, the kind who don’t tell you what you want to hear, the kind that guide you toward both the answers and your own evolution like a wisened sage. Are you picturing an old guy with a long beard and walking staff yet?
Over time I completed my MBA with a specialty in Project Management, not just to check a box, but because I genuinely love figuring out how to turn big ideas into real, measurable results. I’m the person who can see the strategy and loves executing the details.
While I love what I do, what truly drives and defines me is what happens outside the office. I’m passionate about serving my community through various groups, and mentoring young women is closest to my heart - especially helping them through career transitions, making the jump from military to civilian life, or stepping into leadership for the first time. I know how disorienting that can feel, and I love being able to walk alongside someone as they figure it out.
At the end of the day, I believe leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about showing up, doing the work, and helping the people around you grow too.
Wisdom from the trenches, advice that actually makes sense.
Jill Ross, MBA-PM