Jill spent her early years in Minnesota, moving to Tucson, Arizona at age 6. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Elementary Education in 2003. During her years at the U of A, Jill served Lutheran Campus Ministry there as a Student Leader.

Upon graduation from college, Jill spent four years in Thailand serving in the mission field for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Jill returned to the US in late May of 2008 and was called to serve as Campus Ministry Associate for Lutheran Campus Ministry in Tempe, Arizona at that time.

During her time as Campus Ministry Associate, Jill plans on attending graduate school at Arizona State University.