About Jill shah
Director of Financial Stability - United Way for Greater Austin

Jill Shah is the Director of Financial Stability at United Way Capital Area. She was most recently the Director of Housing and Quality Management at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, the largest and oldest non-profit based in the Upper East Side of New York City. She is a licensed mental health counselor and her expertise focuses on trauma work with homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, and victims of the September 11 attack in New York City.

Jill is the co-creator of the concept of "Building a Professional Package" and has authored articles on constructive confrontation, confronting in a culturally sensitive manner, defining supervision, and power in the supervisory relationship. She has presented at numerous agencies in the US and Canada and a featured presenter at the 2005 Child Welfare League of America National Conference in Washington, DC and the 2008 YAI International Conference in New York City.

Was there a particular experience in your life that prepared you for leadership?
There were a number of experiences that prepared me for my leadership role. Surprisingly, I was at a supervision workshop and was discussing some challenges with an employee. I was a new supervisor and I was nervous because i was discussing this in front of senior supervisors. I was shocked to see that even they had similar struggles This was a 2 part course, and working through those struggles and teaching others through my challenges was a rewarding and fulfilling experience for me. I see leadership as being able to guide and motivate others through the challenges you have overcome.
Who do you think was the greatest leader? Why?
I have been lucky to have many leaders in my life. I see them as mentors because they have selflessly given me any knowledge and guidance they could. I often see leaders who are reluctant to share their knowledge because they are threatened or protective. My mentors, Frank Delano from Professional Package Training and Rachael Neff from my former position at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House not only provided me guidance, they were always willing looking for opportunities to showcase my skills and provide me a venue to shine. It was such am empowering thing because they were using their power and leadership position to help me grow. I am grateful for their guidance and support through the years and would not be where I am today if not for them.
What are the key things you’d counsel someone coming in to the workforce?
My work philosophy comes from a famous quote my mentor, Frank Delano, heard, "If someone pays you $5 to do a job, give them $10 worth. Because then you'll always be valued at $10." Strong work ethic and always finding ways to improve yourself are 2 traits I value highly.
What is the most significant issue you would like to be able to solve?
Since receiving my degree, I have worked extensively in the fields of poverty and behavioral health. Poverty is a plague that transcends so many other problems. When someone is poor and lacking the basic skills necessary to live, they can't move forward in multiple aspects of their life. They often struggle for basic access to health services (mental and physical), they often struggle in education which holds them back for the rest of their future. Breaking the cycle of poverty for every individual should be a goal we all work towards in order to truly "Live United".
What book or movie character do you most identify with?
I don't know if I identify with her, I think I hope to emulate some of her, but Jeannette Walls in "The Glass Castle". She was a tough kid who went through several struggles, yet she sees her struggles as character building and her outlook is so positive and optimistic.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Chips and salsa (good thing I live in Austin- the home of unlimited chips and salsa!)
What’s your favorite Austin dining, entertainment, or outdoor experience?
Since I moved here only 2 years ago I'm still exploring, but I loved SXSW! So much great music happening at the same time, strolling into cute little venues and hearing new random artists that inspire and move you one after another.