Jillian is originally from Cranford, New Jersey. She completed her undergraduate studies at Hamilton College, majoring in biology. After graduation, she worked as a research technician in the Translational Research Laboratory at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Jillian received her Master of Public Health degree in international health at Boston University. During her studies, she spent time in Kenya, evaluating the national community health worker (CHW) program in Loitokitok District, Rift Valley Province and training CHWs as an intern with the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. Since completing her studies, Jillian has been living in Lusaka, Zambia and assisting the Zambia Center for Applied Health Research and Development as a Health Project Officer on two mobile health initiatives, using SMS technology to improve maternal and child health and facilitate the early infant diagnosis of HIV throughout Southern Province, Zambia. In addition to her work, she enjoys yoga, travel, and a good cup of coffee.