Meet a Member: Cecilia Green

Some members make a conference more fun and one of those people is Cecilia Green of Illinois. She is a dedicated professional who is always ready to help others succeed. She is a dependable member and an injured foot didn’t even slow her down for the pre-tour and conference in Alaska. She is a unique and unbelievably talented member I am honored to call a friend.

Cecilia Green

Name: Cecilia Green

City and State: Bartlett, Illinois

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Illinois Woman’s Press Association, past president of IWPA. When I lived in Wichita, I served as president of Wichita Press Women, now Wichita Professional Communicators. I was privileged to serve on the NFPW board as public relations chair during Vivian Sadowski’s term as president.

Years a member of NFPW: 31 years

Tell us a little about you

I “rewired” in 2009 from 25 years of doing PR and marketing for nonprofit associations in Chicago to being director of an Arts Center in Bartlett with a gallery and studios for teaching artists and musicians. It is a volunteer position that keeps me very busy at least 4 days a week. I’m also on the Economic Development Commission for the Village of Bartlett and do PR for Bartlett Heritage Days. When I’m not working, my rescue toy fox terrier Tanner and I hang out or I travel to see my  kids.

My husband Darrell’s work at the Art Institute of Chicago takes him around the world and I’ve been fortunate to tag along in the past few year to Scotland, Ireland, India, Norway and Russia.  Jill Miller, my daughter, is an NFPW member, has her own consulting business and the Finishing School for Modern Women in Wichita. Jennifer Miller lives in Treasure Island, Florida and is a professional French horn player. Michael Miller and his wife Carla live in Lakewood, Colorado with my two grandchildren Sophia, 5 and Desmond, 7.

 

NFPW members Cecilia Green, right and daughter, Jill Miller.

Any career advice you would give?

If you are a good writer, the world is open to you; so many opportunities in so just about any field if you know how to communicate. I always told students to  look at associations for professionals and trade associations if they want to be in the nonprofit world. It’s good pay for a fascinating career meeting business people from all over the world.

Which talent would you most like to have? 

I wish I was a better public speaker.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Closer to my family; we’re considering going back to Wichita when my husband retires in 5 years.

What book are you reading?

Just finished “The Girl on the Train” and am starting on Virginia Professional Communicators member Nancy Beasley’s “Little Lion.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

That some people think I’m standoffish but I’m really very shy and don’t easily approach people I don’t know well.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

IWPA and its mothership are steadfast in holding to its values and mission. It’s one of the most supportive organizations I belong to. I look forward to its conferences every year.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

Personal Facebook account and Arts in Bartlett Facebook

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Meet a Member: Jill D. Miller

She awards semi-fabulous prizes to winners of different “get acquainted” games at NFPW conferences. As the “director of Fun” she takes her responsibilities seriously and members attending their first NFPW conference have a fun time getting to know other attendees. This redhead is a bundle of energy and makes conferences even more fun. Meet Jill D. Miller, a unique and unbelievable member I am glad to call a friend.

Jill D. Miller

Name: Jill D. Miller

City and State: Wichita, Kansas

Affiliate and any leadership positions: Wichita Professional Communicators – Past President (2012)

Years a member of NFPW: 9 years (joined in 2006)

Tell us a little about you.

Jill D. Miller is a world champion plate spinner. With her independent business development consulting company, Creative Solutions, Jill has helped fledgling entrepreneurs launch out-of-the-ordinary and sometimes quirky new ventures, helped seasoned business owners see new possibilities and has kept freelancers motivated since 1998. As if that wasn’t enough, Jill started teaching entrepreneurship classes at Wichita State University in 2013, which she has found to be an exhilarating adventure of her plate-spinning prowess.

In her spare time, Jill likes to stay busy. She’s past president of Wichita Professional Communicators and is the Director of Fun on the board of the National Federation of Press Women. Deeply involved in the fundraising event, ArtAID, from 1993 to 2012, she helped raise nearly $2 million to help people in Wichita living with HIV and AIDS. Believing strongly in the importance of mom-and-pop businesses and how much they add to the community, Jill founded Cash Mob Wichita in 2012, gathering groups of shoppers to “mob” and spend money at local businesses. A bit of a social butterfly, Jill loves meeting new people and attending local art, music and theater events.

Any career advice you would give?

Jill D. Miller

I’ve grown my business through word of mouth. I think the reason I’ve been a successful consultant is because I work hard to do business with integrity, network constantly to meet new people and grow relationships and belong to great professional organizations, like NFPW and Wichita Professional Communicators that keep me current with what’s happening in the world.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’ve always wished I was better at drawing. I can picture what I’d like to draw, but the ideas just don’t come out on paper.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I really like living in Wichita. If I had to move somewhere else I’d pick a bigger city to live in, like Denver, Chicago or Minneapolis.

What book are you reading?

Just finished “Playing Big,” by Tara Mohr. It’s about how women hold themselves back in business. Fantastic book.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I used to be a radio DJ on a college alternative radio show. That was a lot of fun!

Jill D. Miller

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

The biggest reason my affiliate and NFPW are important to me is the people. I have made many great friends in the organization and feel we are an organization that will do all we can to help each other. I love that I have so many peers that I can ask for advice and support when I need it.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.

Facebook: facebook.com/creativesolutions for business; facebook.com/jilldmiller for personal

Website: www.jilldmiller.com

Twitter: @jilldmiller

Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jilldmiller