In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting some of the women of this Women Owned Small Business, and sharing their fun facts, solid advice, and thoughts on ways companies can be more inclusive to women in the workplace.
Today we’re getting to know Jill Lawson, Partner and VP Deliery Solutions.
Q: What is your job title? How long have you worked for Itero Group?
I’ve been a part of Itero Group’s leadership team for five years…but it’s more like 15 because as our name “Itero” suggests, many of us on the leadership team have worked together before. My title is Partner and Vice President, Solution Delivery…but it’s also sales, delivery, admin, manager…whatever my clients need from me, I’ll be there!
Q: What’s a fun fact or two about you?
Friends and colleagues usually make note of my affinity for driving fast. I absolutely love to drive fast (safely)…but I have a 90% failure rate of talking my way out of tickets! Also, as a hobby, I owned boutiques in Great Falls and Reston, Virginia, for about seven years.
Q: What three words describe you?
Force. Of. Nature.
Q: Favorite quote or mantra?
We will work it out. It is going to be fine. Very few things cause me stress because the reality is, I will make it fine, and most problems are opportunities for change and improvement.
Q: Why did you want to work for Itero Group?
I wanted to work for Itero Group because I knew the team to be entrepreneurs with proven experience finding success in challenging times. Nobody works harder to make their clients successful.
Q: What woman has most influenced you in your life and/or career?
My Grandma Stella. She lived with us during my “formative years” through middle and high school. She was a WWII era woman who worked through the Depression with an 8th grade education to help the family. Her parents came to the US from Poland and her husband came from Finland. My grandfather died unexpectedly leaving her with three young daughters and parents from both sides to support. She saved money in the mattress and coffee cans to pay for my college. She talked about life like it was an adventure where nothing was insurmountable. Only as an adult did I realize how hard it must have been. Stella is responsible for my mantra.
Grammy Snyder. We lived with my husband’s grandparents early in our marriage. Grammy married Pop Pop as he left for WWII. She was brilliant and wanted to go to college, but her parents only agreed to beauty school. He was gone for four years. Her family lost their farm along with everything else. Everyone chipped in to support extended family and the commun