Jill is a U.S. Army veteran, writer, entrepreneur, activist, and avid outdoorswoman. She was the founding director of GVSU’s Secchia Military & Veterans Resource Center and was named the 2022 Student Veterans of America Advisor of the Year. CEI is excited to welcome Jill to the team as a Entrepreneur in Residence specializing in alumni relations. Staying connected with our students beyond graduation, and creating more opportunities for our current students to learn from and connect with GVSU graduates who are building businesses and making an impact in their communities plays a major role in developing young entrepreneurs.
After graduating High School, Jill initially attended Grand Valley State University (GVSU) before enlisting in the U.S. Army for three years of active duty. When her father lost his job during her freshman year, she stepped up to cover her college expenses and accepted a recruiter’s offer of $30,000 in tuition support. Seeking Independence and purpose beyond campus life, she ultimately decided to enlist after a coin flip, a story she later shared in a TED Talk at GVSU.
Her military career included boot camp in South Carolina and military intelligence training at a naval base in Pensacola, Florida, her first duty station at an Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas, and 14 months stationed in Korea. Beyond specialized training, her service taught her resilience and how to work alongside people from all walks of life.
While stationed in San Antonio, she volunteered to assist with her battalion’s newsletter, The Wrangler. Her initiative led to her appointment as the unit’s Public Affairs Officer, a position typically reserved for commissioned officers. Armed with a camera and notebook, she conducted interviews and reported on unit activities, realizing her true calling was storytelling and Public Relations rather than just teaching literature. Following her military discharge, she returned to Grand Rapids as a young mother to finish her degree at GVSU. With guidance from a communications professor, she designed a custom writing minor to complement her Advertising and Public Relations major, graduating in May 200.
In 2014, she entered a business pitch competition designed for women veterans, taking third place and earning $10,000 in seed capital. She used the funding to launch the Outdoor Book Club, a unique venture combining literature with outdoor recreation. Over the past decade, the initiative has expanded into a media brand featuring a Substack publication, a curated retreat (combining paddling, hiking, and book discussions), and a growing newsletter community of approximately 1,700 subscribers.
In 2016, Jill was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, a rare genetic condition that causes progressive vision loss. Currently retaining 10% to 15% of her visual field, she navigates daily life with her German Shepherd guide dog. With support from Veterans Affairs programs for blind veterans, she utilizes adaptive technology and participates in adaptive sports programs, including annual skiing trips in Aspen.
Today she serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at GVSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Having previously served as the university’s Veteran Entrepreneur in Residence, her focus is on building an alumni network of business owners spanning diverse fields, from healthcare and social work to communications and criminal justice. Her goal is to connect Laker alumni, share resources, and foster mentorship opportunities for the next generation of student entrepreneurs
