Jillian was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology from SUNY Fredonia. After graduating from Fredonia, she began her career working at Crisis Services as a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline Counselor and Advocate. Jillian currently works at BestSelf Behavioral Health as a Care Manager and Outreach Coordinator, where she works with those in the community to achieve their social, physical and mental health goals by addressing barriers to healthcare access and resources. Through various collaborative experiences at SUNY Fredonia and her current work at BestSelf, Jillian has developed a deep passion for improving health literacy in the community, specifically as it pertains to health education and prevention efforts within the field of substance use and addiction treatment. Jillian’s graduate research thus far has consisted mostly of substance use treatment initiatives, as well as the impact of government resources on food insecurity and food apartheid. Jillian is currently a dual Masters of Social Work and Masters in Public Health (Health Services Administration) student at the University at Buffalo.

After graduating in 2025, Jillian plans to work in a clinical setting as a healthcare administrator, where her primary goal will be to lead collaborative initiatives aimed toward improving health education and prevention programming within the WNY community. She would also like to obtain her LCSW and opening up a private practice where she can work with young adults of color who struggle with trauma, mental health, and/or addictions. Jillian plans on getting involved at the macro level as well by being an active part of local advocacy and legislative efforts that seek to increase the variety of resources available to individuals of lower socioeconomic status who are facing health disparities.