Jill

My Session Rate: $80

I grew up on a horse farm that raised, trained, and showed Morgan Horses. I lived in a small town in Illinois where my father was the high school principal, and my mother was a substitute teacher and owned a gift shop. I had a difficult childhood, constantly feeling pressure to appear perfect despite internal struggles. As a dyslexic student, I faced criticism for not meeting my parents' academic expectations. However, I found solace in breaking and riding horses, which boosted my confidence.

I pursued a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in biology, and earned two master’s degrees—one in business administration and one in clinical adult psychology. Despite ongoing family challenges, I have worked hard to maintain a relationship with them and heal from past traumas. I married a horse trainer in 1995 who sadly passed away fifteen years later, leaving me with profound grief to process.

Throughout my life, I have persevered and sought help from counselors and mentors during trying times. I believe it is crucial to rely on others and animals for support when needed. Despite the hardships, I have remained dedicated to nonprofit work and have risen to the role of Chief Executive Officer at several large nonprofits. I live in Lebanon, Missouri.

I strongly believe in being kind, understanding, and supportive towards others, as life can be tough at times. We can always count on our furry friends and loved ones for comfort and strength.

In my opinion, mistakes are crucial for personal growth, as long as we learn from them.

What do I value most in life? My animals, family and friends, being kind, helpful, and offering support to those in need. I am passionate about working hard, still actively involved in showing, training, and breeding horses. I also prioritize competitive spirit and believe hard work is the key to success.

I am the CEO of a non-profit organization. Additionally, I run two businesses – Spirit in Motion Stables and Spirit in Motion Expressions. I breed and show American Saddlebreds - Hackney Ponies, and Dutch Harness Horses. This keeps me quite busy, yet I can dedicate ten to fifteen hours each week to working with mentees. Working one-on-one with youth is my passion and life's calling.

Education:

Southern Illinois State University

Masters in Clinical Adult Psychology

Eastern Kentucky University

Masters in Business Administration

Certifications, Honors, and Special Awards:

Jill is a certified practitioner of The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team, Everything DiSC, and Myers-Briggs. These certifications reflect her commitment to fostering strong communication and team development with everyone she works with.

To work with Jill, call 980-550-0124 or Email OnwardMentors@gmail.com.

My ideal mentee is someone who will not be embarrassed or afraid to share how they feel or what they need. I work best with someone who trusts me and reaches out so I can support them swiftly. You never have anything to hide or be ashamed about with me. I've made many mistakes in life, so I am not judgmental- I just want to help. I don't have an age preference for mentees, and can be a valuable resource for those going through life changes, dealing with challenges related to family and friends, and experiencing grief as well as executive functioning and independent living needs.

My areas of expertise include working with individuals going through life changes, coping with family and friend challenges, and dealing with grief. I also have experience working with people who have a strong connection with animals, as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities, young people in foster care, and those living in poverty.