Jill Knittel

JK Executive Strategies, LLC (JK Exec) was launched in August 2017 by Jill Knittel to serve the Executive Search needs of high performing organizations across the United States with best-in-class search methodologies and processes. The JK Exec team follows a proven methodology and discipline for every search, resulting in clear expectations, timelines, and communication throughout each engagement.  

Since its inception in 2017, over 30% of JKExec’s business has been specifically in the nonprofit sector due to the passion she and her team have in furthering the progress of nonprofit organizations.  We believe in the infinite possibilities of engaged board members, strategic leadership, and exceptional governance. We are here to help strengthen nonprofits through our nonprofit consulting offering in addition to our retained search work.  Our approach helps boards and NFP leaders create lasting, adaptive change.

Today, her board consulting team consists of experts across the nonprofit sector including former CEO’s, Development Leaders, and Board Leaders.  

Jill currently serves as a Trustee and is a member of the Executive Committee of St. John Fisher College and as the Chair of the Board for Hillside Family of Agencies Board of Governors. She is a Past Chair and former Campaign Chair of Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Jill's understanding of Board Governance and foundational background in a Big 6 Accounting firm allow her to partner with Boards readily and with knowledge needed to provide guidance and input throughout the planning.

With 25 years of experience in direct hire and retained search, Jill Knittel and her team have completed over 1,000 successful searches including national retained searches for: CEOs, Executive Directors, CFOs, Vice Presidents, General Counsel, and VPs of Human Resources amongst others.  
Headquartered in Monroe County, N.Y., JK Executive Strategies is a nationally certified as a NYS MWBE Certified Firm, Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Additionally, Jill is an active member of Vistage and Global Entrepreneurs’ Organization.

Past accomplishments and awards include the Circle of Excellence (2022) and Rochester Top 100 (2022), Business Person of the Year (2020), Women of Excellence Award (2019) by the Rochester Business Journal, a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award (2006), and a finalist of the Women’s Council Athena Award in Rochester (2014). A proud St. John Fisher College alumnus, Jill received the University’s Dean’s Medal in 2014.  Jill has her Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John Fisher College.