Personal Crisis. Professional Pivot.

If I’ve learned anything in my life, it’s that the path to leadership is never a straight line. More often than not, it’s a long and winding road with curves you can’t see around, potholes to keep things interesting, a couple detours for good measure…and, if you’re lucky, you might see a few deer along the way. Are we there yet?

When I first met my guest, Jill Brown, the Executive Director of Northwest Kidney Kids, I had no idea she’d entered college as a Political Science major. And I’m pretty sure she had no idea that someday she’d be running a nonprofit! And not just any nonprofit, but the very same organization that would one day support her through the scariest time of her life: her toddler’s kidney failure. In fact, she was recruited by the previous executive director during one of her daughter’s dialysis sessions.

It takes a special kind of person to take the helm of a nonprofit while simultaneously navigating her own personal trauma. That’s Jill.

She’s one of the most resilient people I know, and I can’t wait for you to meet her and hear her story. Oh, and stay tuned until the end when Jill reveals something about herself that will totally inspire you!

📌 Check out our Pinterest Board about Kidney Disease

Jill Brown is the Executive Director of Northwest Kidney Kids, a regional nonprofit serving children and youth with chronic kidney disease and their families in the Pacific Northwest. She has over 15 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector.

Jill received her BA in Community Development and her Masters of Public Administration from Portland State University in Oregon. She lives in beautiful Pacific Northwest with her partner, Jeff, almost 10-year-old daughter, Kylee, and their two cats.

When she isn’t busy running NW Kidney Kids and being a mom, you can find her at barre or yoga class, in her kitchen and garden, or playing board games.