Jill Cress’ Post

These are some of best people I know! We were absolutely giddy to be together last night! Growing up as a human and executive at Mastercard was a gift in so many ways. While working hard and being in it together as we built Priceless Cities, Surprises and more I didn’t realize that the experiences would be the foundations for lifelong friendships! ❤️💛

Great to be back at Cannes this year! It is hard to believe I have been at H&R Block for 2 years! I continue to learn and be so inspired by our teams and how passionate they are about creating delightful experiences for our clients. My role encompasses Customer Experience, Marketing and Communnications! This fireside chat with Nuno Leal as part of a discussion on AI for Brand Marketers was an opportunity to share how we started with the customer and worked across the enterprise to build our AI Tax Assist experience into our digital product, the journey we created as well as the comms and marketing to drive awareness and trial. A truly integrated approach with great results! Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity #BISummit #CustomerExperience #Marketing #Communications

Thanks Matt Britton for having me! I love the summary of our chat below! It is such an exciting time to be leading customer experience, marketing and comms as we continue to engage new audiences like Gen Z as we embrace digital experiences to bring our purpose to life!

Last Tuesday, I experienced a life milestone. I was recognized as a NY Women in Communications Matrix honoree along with an insanely talented group of women! This year’s theme was “Rule Breakers”. It was an opportunity to think about my journey, my purpose and what breaking rules means. The event is in support of female students who receive scholarships to pursuit communications. With a 750 word goal, I shared a few reflections. I thought about young Jill and her ambition to go places and make an impact, the role my amazing dad, Tom Justic, had in exposing me to new experiences and encouraging me to push myself to take risks and bend the rules including volunteering to be the kid at the zoo who raised my hand to have a boa constrictor placed around my neck. 🐍 In those moments I stood taller, and the sun shined brighter. ☀️ I also shared the times I stumbled, like losing my run for student council 4 times. With the highs and lows driving me, I continued to always run at what was possible! 🏃♀️I reflected on the incredible career experiences at Mastercard National Geographic and PayPal which provided the foundation for me to think, lead AND to see the world! 🌍 It has been Priceless. In my role at H&R Block 💚 I have hit the career jackpot! It is as if all my experiences were curated to prepare me to be a part of this team that is doing hard things while caring deeply about the legacy we leave in our communities and for our associates, which aligns deeply with my personal values. Finally, it was a moment to celebrate with many dear friends, family, colleagues and partners from our agencies and media platforms. Relationships have been the foundation for me to grow and continue to break the rules. I was blown away by all the support! Devika Bulchandani , who nominated and introduced me, has been one of my most fierce advocates and brought me to tears with her heartfelt intro! It was incredible to have my daughter, Beatrix Cress, my greatest joy, my husband, Todd Cress, (famously known as our Chief Experience Officer), my mom and so many others (Carleen Hinkel Bevin McDevitt Susan Ross, CPCC, PCC Amy White Jason White Tiffany Monroe Jeff Jones Dara Redler Aleemna K Wraye Jenny Rooney Alice Colarusso Ben Humphries Jeannie Esti Stephanie Ricke Alison Giordano Greg Boosin David Ford Drew Warren Kristine McDevitt to name a few…) front and center cheering me on. It was epic. 🎉⭐️ I am still reeling! Life is indeed so rich. ❤️ Grateful for the support from Ogilvy VaynerMedia The Walt Disney Company Spotify Teneo GALE The Trade Desk #NYWICI #RuleBreakers

Excited to share that I've been selected as a 2024 Matrix Honoree by NYWICI! Looking forward to celebrating with so many other inspiring leaders on May 21 at the Ziegfeld in NYC as we celebrate groundbreaking women who are shaping the future. I'm truly honored! To me, breaking rules has always been about reaching for what is possible! And feel so fortunate to be working with such an inspiring and ambitious team H&R Block to lead with my values to drive more impact! #NYWICI #RuleBreakers

What a week! Monday marked the tax deadline and Forbes sharing its Entrepreneurial CMO list. I am both humbled and honored to be among this group of change makers who challenge the status quo in how brands resonate with and help our customers while we drive enterprise growth. This is a testament to the culture and work of our CX, Marketing and Comms leaders at H&R Block who are curious, collaborative, bold and bring so much hustle to our purpose to provide help and inspire confidence. It has been so rewarding to work alongside this team to push boundaries and challenge the category in fun and relevant ways. Congrats to the other CMO's on this list. I have learned from and been inspired by you. What a moment to be a part of this community of leaders who are shaking it up and redefining the role of marketing and experience teams!

Thanks Katie Birchfield, PHR for a delightful fireside chat! Loved your thoughtful questions and how fun to have a full house at our H&R Block HQ!

It is always a pleasure to reconnect with one of the marketing GOATS Jim Stengel. Loved chatting about how to break the rules (responsibly) and how to make change stick, the importance of audiences especially Gen Z in our quest at H&R Block to be more relevant and the importance of knowing ourselves as leaders and the powerful role that coaching can have on our impact and personal legacy. Give it a listen and let me know what you think! #customerexperience #brand #leadership

Absolutely delighted and even more humbled to share that I am in the company of such inspiring women as part of the 54th Matrix Awards. Full of gratitude for so many who inspired me to bend (and sometimes break) the rules, the trust from the leaders and companies I’ve had the privilege to work with and the amazing work we are doing at H&R Block to empower the next generation of female leaders while we invest in the communities we serve! Life is truly rich. Look forward to celebrating with dear friends, family and colleagues in May! #boldleadership #curiosity