As the new Director of SWIM and with a strong background and commitment to fostering healing environments, Jill is eager to draw on local expertise and knowledge to design and implement diverse programming that nurtures greater resilience and well-being throughout Milwaukee and beyond. A Wisconsin native, Jill is enthusiastic about reconnecting with her roots, drawing on her insights from years of living and working abroad, and working hand-in-hand with community members to create positive, lasting change that fosters belonging and wellness. 

Before joining SWIM, Jill was based in Rome, Italy, for nearly 13 years.  For nine years, she served as Gender-Responsive Education (GRE) Specialist for the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) where she worked to expand access to and completion of secondary education for refugee youth, particularly girls, in fragile, conflict, and crisis-affected contexts in nearly 60 countries. Jill also taught human rights at Loyola University Chicago’s John Felice Rome Center and previously served as the Deputy Director of the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center.  

Before her tenure in Rome, Jill resided in Asheville, North Carolina, where she held multiple roles including the statewide director of North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, English language instructor for migrants and refugees at the local community college, and Environmental Education Specialist at Warren Wilson College where she supported students in delivering environmental education to elementary schools. In the early 2000s, she worked in Mexico, facilitating social justice courses for high school and university students from the Global North.

Jill’s academic background includes degrees in International Studies and Environmental Education, complemented by postgraduate certificates in Global Mental Health from Harvard University and Refugee Studies from Oxford University. In recognition of her impactful work, St. Norbert College--her alma mater--honored her as the 2022 Ambassador of Peace.

Jill considers raising her daughter– who is currently studying in London–her greatest accomplishment and joy in life. She enjoys long swims, walks, and spending quality time with her family and friends. Jill is a huge fan of Wisconsin’s glacially carved lakes and the Milwaukee Bucks, particularly their humanitarian-minded MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo.