Back to school
Earning my MBA
I went back to the classroom to learn the business side of building something, and walked away with my MBA.
About Jillian
I spent nearly 20 years telling other people's stories. Then I started living my own.
Chapter one
The shy kid with a big ask
I was the shy kid growing up. Social in my own small crowd, never in a new one. So nobody expected what happened at a Flyers game one night. I was a communication major who didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, and I needed an internship to graduate. Then I watched the in-arena host working the crowd and thought: that looks like fun. I'm going to go introduce myself.
Everyone said, "No, you're not." I did. A week later, I had an internship at a sports network in Philadelphia, and I worked really, really hard to make my mark.
Chapter two
Nearly 20 years on air
Before I knew it, I was moving to Presque Isle, Maine, for my first job as a weekend sports anchor and weekday reporter. From there, I went to Binghamton, New York, to anchor the morning news. Then home to Philadelphia. Then national morning television in New York City. Then home to Philadelphia again.
Through all of it, I wanted to be great. I wanted viewers to trust me. Trust was the most important thing to me, and I just kept climbing. Along the way came breaking news, live shots in every kind of weather, and two Emmy Awards. But what I carry with me most are the stories I'll never forget, the people who became lifelong friends, and lessons that still guide me every day.
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Chapter three
Just because something works doesn't make it right
After all of those moves and all of those years, I finally stopped and asked: is this what I really want? Success had been teaching me something. It was working, so I should just keep doing it. I call this the success renewal effect.
I could have stayed. I wasn't asked to leave. It was my own decision, and there are parts of that job I still love. But I said no to auto-renewing my life, and yes to living the story I wanted to tell.
Chapter four
Building something of my own
Walking away from television didn't erase those 20 years. It's actually the opposite. I use them every single day. Journalism taught me how to tell a story, how to lead, and how to stay calm when things go sideways. Here's what I've built with it.
Founder
Jillian Mele Communications
Where I speak, coach and train people and teams to find their voice and tell their own stories.
Co-founder
LemonRose Golf
A women's golf apparel brand I co-founded with my best friend, built from the ground up, one piece and one club at a time.
Visit LemonRose Golf →What I believe
A few things I know for sure.
01
There's room for all of us at the table.
02
Just because something works doesn't make it right.
03
Our past has evidence. Our future doesn't.
04
We don't choose the ending. We guide the story.
Live the story you want to tell.
Whether you're planning an event, ready to find your voice, or just want to follow along, I'd love to have you here.