Jill Penrose

Jill Penrose currently serves as Chief People and Administrative Officer | Chief of Staff. In her current role, Jill manages corporate strategy and chief of staff responsibilities in addition to her continued oversight of communications, public relations, government and industry relations, human resources, community relations, and philanthropy. She has focused on broadening and evolving each area in alignment with the needs of the business, its employees, and strategic partners. 

Jill has extensive leadership experience in strategy, mergers and acquisitions, culture, organization design, human resources, and strategic communications. Throughout her career she has leveraged a compelling vision and resonant approach to drive organizational progress while cultivating a unique culture that is the foundation of business delivery. 

Professional Highlights  

Jill joined the Company in 2004 as Director, Corporate Strategy. She was elevated to the role of Vice President, Strategy and Organization Development in 2009. In 2014, Jill was elected a Company Officer and assumed the role of Vice President, Human Resources and was later promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications.  

As the external landscape has evolved, Jill has been instrumental in developing the Company’s strategic approach to support all those who count on the business.  This has included the establishment of an innovative workplace model that promotes both meaningful in-office presence and personal flexibility, and continued diligence in evaluating and adapting the Company’s total rewards to deliver on the evolving needs of its employees.  

Jill has also overseen the work to expand communications and media relations engagement to increase awareness of what differentiates the Company from its peers. This has included her participation in numerous national media interviews and engagements that have heightened positive perception of the Company including encouraging industry recognitions for its excellence in workplace, innovation, and talent development, among other areas.  

In addition, she has led the enhancement of government and industry relations. Through her leadership, the Company has expanded its focus on building relationships and advocating for policies that advance the organization’s long-term strategy while supporting the constituents that rely on the consumer-packaged goods industry.   

Prior to joining Smucker, Jill held consulting roles with PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Willis Towers Watson (formerly Towers Perrin). 

Community Leadership  
 
Jill has a deep appreciation for the power of education and community to create opportunities. In service of this, she is involved in several organizations including serving as Board Vice Chair and HR Committee Chair of the Chautauqua Institution. 

Educational Background  
 
Jill is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, and Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned a Master of Business Administration.