Jill Gardiner

About Jill Gardiner

I serve as the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the High Mountain Institute, which develops young leaders’ skills through transformative classroom and wilderness experiences. My team and I attract high-performing young people, evaluate candidates, and compose the incoming classes for three signature programs: HMI Semester, HMI Gap Semester, and HMI Summer Term. To build and maintain robust pipelines of exceptional candidates for each year’s programs, I cultivate and grow organizational partnerships (e.g, secondary schools, peer organizations) and enduring relationships (e.g, alumni, families). I’m most energized by conversations where I see young people and their families light up as they envision the role that HMI’s programs can play in their growth and transformation as scholars, leaders, and human beings.In addition to my work on education and leadership programs at HMI, I have worked in software focused on technology-driven solutions for education, literacy, and accessibility, as well as at a healthcare delivery organization focused on behavioral health and chronic condition management. I hold a B.A. in economics from Boston University.

Experience

1. Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

   High Mountain Institute

   Jun 2023 — Present · Leadville, CO, US

   Leads team responsible for filling over 100 openings per year by composing diverse, high-performance cohorts of young people. Cultivates relationships and influences decision-making for multi-stakeholder (i.e, student, parent, school / district), high-consequence decisions- Manages and grows pipeline by developing, sustaining, and growing relationships with partner and peer organizations (e.g, secondary schools, districts, study away programs, camps) as well as individual alumni and families- Attracts and develops interest in both the category and the organization through engaging live presentations, events, webinars, and individualized attention- Owns strategy, execution, processes, marketing materials, CRM, and data systems for attraction to onboarding funnel; Reports to board, fellow organizational leaders, and alumni on pipeline, outcomes, and strategic initiatives- Collaborates with diverse stakeholders, including Board, fellow cross-functional leadership team members, external leaders, candidates, and alumni- Develops talent, serving as a people manager to FTEs and as education / leadership advisor to students. Attracts strong talent, including closing leadership & early career hires.

Education

• Boston University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Economics

  2015 — 2018

• Skidmore College

  Economics

  2012 — 2015

• Hamden Hall Country Day School, CT

  (High School: 2008 - 2012)