Why are you involved with IGNITE Worldwide?
I was raised in a single-parent household most of my life and was lucky enough to witness every day a mother who was strong, driven, dedicated, curious, and empathetic – both in her personal and professional life. I know that I am who I am because of what she exemplified and I believe that IGNITE has the ability to have that kind of impact on students today by demonstrating and validating the positive impact women can and do have – in STEM careers and beyond.
How has IGNITE Worldwide inspired you?
In my work with IGNITE, I have experienced women supporting students in a real and meaningful way, but I have also witnesses women supporting other women to grow and succeed. That’s not an experience I have had often enough in my career and it gives me hope and comfort to know that women can powerful advocates for one another.
What would you like our wider community to know about IGNITE Worldwide?
IGNITE does much more than provide students access to education and educators. IGNITE provides permission and inspiration to dream as well as the tools to pursue and achieve those dreams.
Bio
Jill Wiggins is the Director of Community Relations & Strategic Communications at KIRO 7. In her role she works collaboratively with internal and external partners in order to build positive brand awareness for KIRO 7 by engaging with local organizations, developing strategic partnerships, managing and executing station events, and effectively communicating station messaging.
Jill has over 20 years of experience in the media and sports industries and been in the Seattle market since 2003. Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, she began her career with the LA Clippers in a variety of media relations and communications roles for the team. She relocated to Portland in 1999 for a position with the TrailBlazers to help the team launch a new WNBA franchise, the Portland Fire. As the Director of Communications, she played an integral role in navigating through the complicated tasks associated with creating and executing the launch of a new brand, identity, and product.
Her move to Seattle was for Jill’s first role in media, joining the regional sports network FSN Northwest (now ROOT Sports). She was promoted three times during her tenure, continuously increasing her level of impact to drive viewership, maximize team partnerships, and support revenue generation with affiliates and advertisers. While at ROOT Sports Jill also helped to launch the Boeing Classic, a local PGA Champions Tour event featuring world-renown golfers 50 years of age and older. She served as the volunteer media director from the event’s inception before joining the staff full time in 2011 as the Director of Marketing & Communications.
An active member of the Greater Seattle business and philanthropic communities, Jill sits on the boards of NATAS Northwest, the Seattle Sports Commission, and the American Lung Association.