Jill Simmons

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Jill Simmons is an experienced executive with a 15-year record of leading organizations through growth and change to the next level of performance and impact. She is a strategic and agile leader whose strengths are well-suited to guiding nonprofits. Jill excels at helping organizations adapt quickly to changing circumstances and helping leaders assess issues, solve problems, set priorities, and identify new opportunities.
 
Strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration are the foundations of Jill’s leadership, which she used as CEO of Washington Trails Association to lead the organization’s evolution to a mid-size nonprofit with more than 50 employees and an $8M budget. Over five years, Jill guided all aspects of the organizational development to sustainably support 100% growth, including overhauling systems and policies; increasing capacity in financial management and human resources; expanding and upleveling the leadership team; and investing in culture change and team building. In addition, Jill spearheaded comprehensive strategic planning that helped the board and staff to align around a proactive, priority-driven approach to program growth and mission impact. Among Jill’s biggest achievements at Washington Trails Association was navigating pandemic disruption to operations and programs while avoiding layoffs, continuing organizational growth, and doubling financial reserves. 
 
Before Washington Trails Association, Jill served in the cabinet-level position of Director of the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment, serving under two mayors. Jill drew outstanding praise from city and community leaders for her management of the Office’s strategic direction across seven environmental program areas, as well as her oversight of a $20M Recovery Act federal grant to increase building energy efficiency.
 
Jill has served on several nonprofit and government boards, including the Mountains to Sound Greenway, Green Seattle Partnership, and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. In her spare time, Jill enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring Washington State’s natural wonders with her teenage son. 

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