Lives and careers are far from predictable paths. They are filled with twists and turns that require resiliency in the face of challenges, and reinvention to adapt to changing times. Join Jill Kobus Johnson and Jennifer Gardner ‘03 for a conversation on the importance of resiliency and reinvention in the workplace and their value navigating uncertainty in the midst of the pandemic.
Hosted by JCU WMN: Women's Mentoring & Networking affinity group. Open to all alumni and JCU community members.
Jill Kobus Johnson is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Director of the P. Kelly Tompkins Leadership and Law Program at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University.
Jill practiced law for a number of years in the Office of General Counsel at Ford Motor Company after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School. Later, she taught Business Law and Business Communication at the University of Michigan. Jill then transitioned to Ithaca, NY where she managed the Dual Career and Engagement Programs for key new hires at Cornell University. She would go on to Boston to manage cross-college collaborations at Babson College before arriving in Cleveland.
Jill is a volunteer ambassador for John Carroll University and supports a variety of activities and initiatives involving students, alumni, faculty and staff. She loves to exercise, and recently learned to play golf. Jill is an avid reader and belongs to two book clubs in Cleveland (and tries to keep up with her Ithaca and Boston groups when possible). Jill and her family are big sports fans.
Jill is married to Michael D. Johnson, President of John Carroll University. They have three sons - Alex, Andrew and Thomas.
Jennifer Gardner graduated from John Carroll University in 2003 with a BA in Political Science and from American University Washington College of Law in 2006 with a JD. Jennifer went on to practice in various law firms in the Cleveland area, in both litigation and contract matters. She is currently an associate at Gallagher Sharp, focusing on general litigation and appellate advocacy. In the years between graduating from law school and present day, Jennifer has not only practiced in various areas of the law, but also taught at Cleveland Marshall College of Law, started her own consulting business, worked in social media content creation, and written freelance articles for various local publications.
Jennifer spent six years on the board for the John Carroll University Cleveland Alumni Chapter, including serving as president of the chapter, and is currently a member of the John Carroll Alumni Association Board. She also writes her own popular Cleveland lifestyle blog, Authentically CLE, and is a room parent with the Gesu PTO. She and her son Jeffrey and dog Tobey live in University Heights.