We’ve always known we had an outstanding leader in our executive director, Jill Medley. So it was nice to see another organization recognize her commitment, dedication and passion for helping children on the autism spectrum.
We’d like to congratulate Jill for being one of three finalists for the 2017 National Association of Women Business Owners’ (NAWBO) Visionary Award!
“Surrounding yourself with a team of individuals who support and guide you, are a sounding board, and also understand and go with the flow is extremely important,” Jill says. “I feel like I have been able to accomplish this, and over the last few years specifically, grown a leadership team that has taken TLS to new heights I am not sure any of us dreamed of.”
NAWBO’s Visionary Award is a prestigious recognition that identifies a woman business owner who has achieved success with her business while making notable contributions to her community, her industry and to initiatives for other women in business. Visionary Award finalists are described as leaders, trailblazers and innovators in her industry. Those of us that know Jill know she has all of those traits and more.
“A visionary is someone who can embrace the good and the bad times, who can stay positive in the face of adversity, laugh at the crazy and enjoy the ride. Usually, the vision, however you get there, will be exactly what it was meant to be and worth more for all the memories made along the way,” Jill says.
In a two and half minute video created as part of her finalist recognition, Jill describes how she started The Learning Spectrum in 2004 after identifying a need in the community that was not being met. She explains how The Learning Spectrum began as a home based program, and now has 116 employees and offers therapies, education, speech, OT, music, drama and art. She discusses the autism scholarship, insurance reform, and credits her mother and grandmother for being role models, advocates and supporters of her goals and dreams.
“TLS has had many memorable situations, and we all have laughed, cried, and probably even raised our voices a bit. But in the end, the vision turned out even better than we thought it would,” Jill says. “I have many people to thank for where I am today; my mom and dad, my mother-in-law, my sister, my very patient husband, and these crazy people who are my work family.”
John Maxwell, author, speaker and founder of The John Maxwell Team said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Jill certainly knew the way when she founded The Learning Spectrum over 13 years ago, and showed the rest of us the way to get there. We didn’t need the National Association of Women Business Owners to tell us what an exceptional leader we had in Jill Medley. But it sure was nice to be reminded.
We invite you to listen to Jill’s story in her video above.