My role at the Center currently involves oversight of all non-lending programs. Serving as chief of programs gives me the opportunity to draw on my diverse experiences to advance the Center’s mission while supporting a group of exceptional people in their tireless dedication to strong rural communities.

As part of the Center team, I dedicate my time and energy to the issues that affect the daily lives of my family and my community members. The people I work with—my Center colleagues, our external partners, and the communities we serve—keep me motivated, day after day, even in challenging circumstances.

I earned a doctoral degree in English from the University of Iowa, and I previously taught there and at the University of South Dakota. I also hold a culinary arts degree and have worked in agriculture and in finance.

My husband and I, along with our two daughters, live on a small acreage near Pender, Nebraska. Incorporating my rural life into my career creates a union and balance in my daily life that I find rewarding. I value firsthand engagement with my food and my environment, and living here gives me the space and opportunity to build the home and the community that I want for my family.
Learn more about Jillian on our blog.