Jill Regester, WoodmenLife
I am the Director of Marketing Communications at WoodmenLife (f.k.a.Woodmen of the World).
I am responsible for the direction, development and implementation of WoodmenLife’s overall marketing communications efforts, including developing and managing department staff responsible for internal and external communications planning and implementation. This includes web and online initiatives, advertising programs, public and media relations, social media, and crisis communications.
I earned my Bachelors of Journalism and Mass Communications in Advertising from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995.
Prior to joining WoodmenLife as Communications Manager in 2007, I worked at the Omaha World-Herald, Meridian Advertising and Goldstar Global.
I serve on the American Fraternal Alliance Fraternal & Communications Board, and am a member of the American Advertising Federation; the Public Relations Society of America; the American Marketing Association; and the International Association of Business Communicators.
My husband is Mike Regester. We have two sons, Maxwell and Hugh. In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering, reading, golfing, cooking, and playing with my Great Dane Fred.
What do you do in your free time? Any hobbies?
I am an avid reader with a very eclectic taste in books. I like everything from autobiographies to self-help to mysteries to smut. I am also a golfer. I have been golfing since high school, but I am not great – all the squirrels running around the golf course distract me.
If you could have any job you wanted, what would you do and why?
I would work for a publishing company as a Book Doctor. Why? See first question’s answer.
Cats or dogs?
I love all animals, but dogs for sure… giant breed dogs specifically. I love a dog I can bear hug. We currently have a 2 year old deaf Great Dane named Fred. We recently lost our 185 pound English Mastiff Ruby and our 11 year old Great Dane George.
What was your first job?
Not counting baby-sitting, my first job ever was in high school at Chuck E Cheese’s. I had to dress up as Chuck himself.Lots of good stories there. My first job out of college was at the Omaha World Herald in the Retail Advertising Dept. It was a great experience and is where I first got involved with the f.k.a. Omaha Federation of Advertising.
What makes a good boss?
First and foremost, a good leader projects warmth and is fair. She is self-sacrificing, and creates an environment of trust and mutual cooperation.
