Jill Jacobson is a senior executive with more than 30 years of experience, primarily with international consumer goods and automotive companies. She has served as a strategic adviser to public and private boards, CEOs, and C-Suite executives and brings key expertise and proven leadership in strategy development, turnarounds, and startups.
As a strategic adviser, Ms. Jacobson has participated in a number of acquisitions and divestments, including the acquisition of a 40% stake in an innovative start-up robotic mower company. After the acquisition, Ms. Jacobson became a member of the start-up’s board, advising on all aspects of the business, including legal, operations, sales, and marketing. Ms. Jacobson also helped lead entry into an entirely new product category by developing product placement and installation strategies and working with her business partners to successfully implement the plan.
Ms. Jacobson has also been involved in major corporate turnarounds, working with the business to reduce costs and implement business development strategies to stabilize and then grow sales and market share. She helped lead a turnaround that contributed to a 30% increase in share price during her tenure, and another that reduced total business area costs by more than $500 million through a combination of structural changes and process development.
As General Counsel, in addition to leading the legal function, Ms. Jacobson has led compliance, product safety, and government relations functions. Ms. Jacobson has implemented and led corporate-wide compliance programs and chaired corporate Compliance Committees. In government relations, Ms. Jacobson has implemented and shepherded a company PAC, and has helped to develop and strengthen relations with key government agencies and officials.
Ms. Jacobson is currently the Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Electrolux North America, Inc., the $5B North American subsidiary of AB Electrolux (publ.) (OMX: ELUX), one of the world’s largest home appliance manufacturers. Prior to joining Electrolux, Ms. Jacobson was the Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary for Husqvarna Professional Products, Inc., the $1B North American subsidiary of Husqvarna AB (publ.) (OMX: HUSQ), a $5B Swedish manufacturer of outdoor power equipment.
Ms. Jacobson spent the first 17 years of her career as a trial attorney representing primarily domestic and international automotive manufacturers in high-stakes product liability matters. In litigation, Ms. Jacobson gained experience in product design and development, regulatory compliance, and crisis management – experience that she marshals in her current roles to help inform and guide her strategic and business advice.
Ms. Jacobson is currently the Board Chair for the Davidson Green School, an innovative non-profit school providing a truly hands-on, student-driven educational experience rooted in problem-based learning and focused on sustainability. The school is heavily involved in the community, growing and providing food for the local food bank, participating in civic activities, and working with local businesses to help implement their sustainability initiatives.
Ms. Jacobson holds an undergraduate business degree from San Jose State University and a law degree from the University of Virginia. She has completed an executive leadership course through IMD and holds a finance certification from Harvard University.