Hi, I’m Jill Sady.  I am Vice President and Chief of Staff at CIEE, where I oversee the President’s
Office, our Board of Directors, and Corporate Communications.

What are you known for now, and what would you like to be known for in the future? 
I am known for being a connector, with lots of energy, who asks good questions, loves being in
nature, is a great mom, will always be on the dance floor, and leaves red hearts in her wake.
I can’t wait to see what I am known for in the future! Fingers crossed my dream of being Miss
Rumphius comes to fruition!

What advice would you offer to someone new to Maine hoping to build a life here? 
I would encourage someone who is new to Maine to talk to as many people as they can when
they are out in the world, because Maine is a place where there are super interesting people
who have done/are doing incredible things with their minds, their hands, their resources—and
connections abound! I find that once I meet someone, we often discover we are connected in
various ways and have people in common.

Maine is known for its work ethic. Do you think that living in such a rural state has
shaped the way you approach your career and your goals?
Yes! Maine is a state full of so many hardworking people.  I saw my parents and neighbors
modeling that as I grew up. The choice to move back to Maine in my late 20s was directly tied to
wanting to live where I could do meaningful and engaging work and have a wonderful quality of
life, put down roots, and live where being in nature could be part of my every day.

Maine is full of strong, independent women—how do you feel connected to the women
around you here, whether it’s in your community or your workplace?
I have the BEST women in my life. Friends, neighbors, family, colleagues—I’ve struck gold.
What a gift it is to be known, loved, rooted for, and held (and to know, love, root for, and hold) in
these deep and meaningful friendships.
I have worked alongside so many amazing women since returning to Maine in 2008. These
smart, caring, resourceful, creative, powerhouses have brought so much goodness and laughter
into my life—and greatness to our state.

If there’s one thing you could change or improve for women in the workforce in Maine,
what would it be, and why?
I wish I could wave my magic wand and three things would change for the women in Maine’s
workforce.
First, any imposter syndrome that exists would disappear. Second, Maine women would use
their voices and fear of public speaking wouldn’t be a thing. And third, the men who benefit from
the unpaid, unseen, and undervalued work of women in their workplaces and homes would see
all the ways that their lives are made easier and work because of women.
I know so many women who are held back by the idea that they aren’t articulate enough, or
brave enough to get up in front of a crowd, or qualified enough, or important enough, or fill in the
blank enough.
I want Maine women to get up there anyway, apply anyway, raise their hand and share their not
perfectly formed ideas anyway, deliver a speech and be beet red and sweating throughout and
do it anyway. In the words of Abby Wambach: "Imperfect men have been empowered and
permitted to run the world since the beginning of time. It’s time for imperfect women to grant
themselves permission to join them."

What advice would you give to young women growing up here in Maine who are
dreaming of building careers, perhaps in industries where women are underrepresented?
I would encourage all young people who grow up in Maine to live outside of the state for a
period of time—be that for a job, going to college, studying abroad, travelling, etc.—and then
come back and contribute here in Maine!

 

 Maine is a place of incredible beauty but also challenging winters. How do you stay
motivated during the tough months—when the days are short, and the weather is harsh?
Having a dog gets me outside every day. Together we hit the trails twice a day, which means
over 700+ walks each year and a photo stream filled with all kinds of pictures from our woodsy
walks and ocean adventures.
I love hiking so my headlamp and spikes make that possible during the winter. A friend put hex
screws in the bottom of a pair of my running shoes so I can keep running during the cold and
slippery months.
I’m also part of a group of women’s ocean plunge group that goes in each week, year round off
of Cousins Island and Littlejohn Island. It’s empowering to get into the water each week and
realize that the worst thing about going in is how I think it’s going to feel. It’s actually always
worse in my head.

With so much focus on family and community in Maine, how do you manage the
expectations that come with being a working woman in a small town or rural area?
I’m grateful to work remotely. My life feels more balanced and manageable in this work setup. I
think back to what life looked like as a working mom and woman pre-pandemic, when I was,
dropping three kids in various places each morning, commuting to Portland all dressed up and
sitting at a desk for 8 hours, white knuckling it home on the highway to make it to daycare in
time for pickup and to relieve our afterschool helper. I felt like I was always running behind and
like things needed to work just right and go according to plan to keep it all together. The pandemic helped drop a lot of the rules and expectations for how things had to be—and allowed me to be dedicated to work and also prioritize myself and my family in ways I hadn’t been able
to before. On a typical work day, I get my kids on the bus and go for a run before work, walk my dog or
meet a friend for a walk at lunch, and I am there to welcome my kids home after school.

Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of? What’s the legacy you hope
to leave for the next generation of women in Maine?
As I look back on my career in education (working in alternative education programs at a public
high school outside of Boston, adult education, and international education), I’m proud to have
brought my heart, empathy, willingness, and humor to all the places I’ve worked. I like to
imagine that the people I work with now and in the past hear my name and think “I
LOVE/LOVED WORKING WITH HER!”
I was also incredibly proud to help create a more inclusive and family-focused parental leave
policy at our organization nearly a decade ago. I like thinking about how many families have
benefited.
In terms of my legacy, it’s less of a legacy and more of a wish…and it isn’t specific to women as
it’s something I want for the entire next generation: I want people to feel permission to be their
weird and wonderful selves, to find their people, to build community, and to both add to and take
care of this beautiful state.