Jill Nishi '89

Program Manager, U.S. Libraries Initiative
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

A member of the second class of Puget Sound’s Business Leadership Program, Jill benefited from the program’s unique curriculum, real-world experience, and professional mentors. She also took advantage of the opportunity to explore her Japanese minor through a study abroad program in Tokyo at Waseda University her junior year. “Studying abroad opened the world for me,“ says Jill. “Any time you live in a different culture, the world feels a lot bigger, but it also feels that much smaller at the same time. While we may be different culturally, people across the world are just that—people.”

During her four years at Puget Sound, Jill was active on campus, serving as a resident assistant and elected as a student senator, eventually becoming chair of the student senate. In addition, Jill was active in Hui O Hawai`i, a club devoted to sharing the culture of Hawai`i with the community. She even danced in a few of the group’s annual campuswide luaus.

After graduating from Puget Sound, Jill completed graduate studies at Princeton University, earning a master’s degree in public affairs. She has held positions in the public sector consulting practice of Deloitte & Touche, the global audit, tax, consulting, and financial services firm, as well as in government at both the city and state level.

Currently Jill oversees the U.S. Libraries Initiative for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, committed to improving access to technology for all people through our nation’s public libraries. She also oversaw the foundation's special giving to rebuild the libraries leveled by hurricanes Katrina and Rita along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi. Jill serves on the boards of Seafair and The Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas, and co-founded the Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation in Seattle.

Major: Business Leadership Program; Japanese minor
Campus Life: Resident Assistant in Harrington Hall; Student Senator; Chair of the Student Senate; member of Hui O Hawai`i
Study Abroad: Waseda University, Tokyo
Graduate School: M.P.A. (Public Affairs), Princeton University
Previous Positions: Economic Development Director, City of Seattle; Deputy Director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development; Senior Management Consultant, Deloitte & Touche

Photo by Ross Mulhausen