A visionary philanthropic strategist and advisor, Jilla uses the platform of philanthropy to catalyze community-led solutions that advance equity, increase economic opportunity, and inspire climate action. Jilla’s career spans 20 years in both the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors where she has helped leading-edge organizations in Washington, DC, Louisiana and Florida meet their missions through program administration, strategic leadership, and fundraising.
Jilla leverages her experience in external affairs, philanthropic advising, and development to design holistic grantmaking programs, philanthropic partnerships, and leadership initiatives that prioritize community engagement, policy change, and to build needed infrastructure and capacity for organizations committed to racial equity, climate justice, and economic justice. This includes raising and moving more than $75M on behalf of organizations such as the Latin American Youth Center, Earth Conservation Corps, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
Jilla is an ardent supporter of the arts, the environment, equitable health care, and adoption. She is a Trustee for the IMH Foundation and serves on the board of directors for the Louisiana Children’s Museum, the Uptown Music Theatre, and the NeuroCritical Care Foundation. She earned her Master of Philanthropy & Development from LaGrange College and is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) candidate.