FWD Feature | Jill Rossini
Jill Rossini | Director of Marketing & Strategy | Palmer Printing
What does diversity, equity, and professional inclusion mean to you?
I believe within an organization there should be a diverse workforce meaning the team comes from different backgrounds in race, gender and economic background. I believe this can help in understanding communications strategies to better serve internal and external goals. I also believe that no matter your race, gender or background you should have equal opportunity for advancement. Often times people are pigeon holed into certain roles simply because of preconceived status and not given recognition.
How have you experience and/or dealt with adversity in your professional and personal life?
There have definitely been some senior level positions that I believe I was not considered for because it was a male dominated team.
The funny part is that I have always been the person who meets more people, makes more introductions and knows how to ask the right questions. Men are definitely more reserved and wait for someone to reach out. I have been fortunate to find success regardless but seem to have to work twice as hard.
What would be one piece of advice to give to your younger self?
Have more faith in myself and my abilities. When I was younger I chose not to go law school because I wanted to start a family and didn’t have mentors or personal connections with professional women who raised a family too.
I wish I had know then that it is surely possible.
Name three things that you do everyday to help lead you to success.
Read — business & motivational information and follow leaders I admire in the media
Yoga — or some workout
Network — leverage my resources to help others first and ultimately it builds trust so that people count on me as a resource.
Who inspires your professional ambition? Why?
My kids.
I worked hard to support their athletic and academic growth and taught them hard work can help them achieve their goals.
I have always told them to have confidence and be resourceful and I believe it has served them well.
I want to continue to show them that you can try new things and find happiness and success as well as a work/life balance.
What is your favorite book? Or the one you’d recommend most?
“The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz is great.
I believe in strong communication in personal and professional development
