Jill Martensen, Strategic Leader, B2B Department
Meet Jill…
Jill was born in Houston, TX, but it was in the city of Chicago, IL, where she truly blossomed. Pursuing studies in Marketing & Management at Columbia, Jill embarked on her professional voyage as a market research recruiter. Her trajectory led her to become a project manager specializing in qualitative research within the healthcare sector.
After having her first child, Jill took an extended maternity leave and discovered an innate leadership calling. Swiftly assuming the role of Chairperson on the LSC (school board President) at her children's elementary school, she demonstrated her exceptional organizational skills by spearheading fundraising efforts. Under her guidance, the school secured funds amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, resulting in the establishment of a science lab, computer lab, and installation of smart boards in every classroom.
A true dynamo in a fast-paced environment, Jill thrives on overcoming challenges, embodying what she affectionately calls the "Only child from Texas attitude" – a belief that no task is too formidable to conquer. Rejoining the workforce in 2014 at Smith Research, Inc., Jill excelled in working on global B2B qualitative market research projects for the next decade, gaining invaluable insights across diverse industries.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jill is the proud mother of three adult children. Outside the office, she and her husband of 30 years have found a unique hobby in an Axe Throwing League, showcasing their adventurous spirit. Their shared passion for punk, goth, and industrial music persists, as they attend concerts of the bands that formed the soundtrack of their early dating days. Jill humorously acknowledges occasional moments of self-reflection (when did they/we get OLD?) during concerts but remains enamored by the enduring spirit of these legendary performers. Together, they continue to rock on!
