Jillian Ferry has spent over 16 years leading People Operations across healthcare, higher education, and corporate sectors in Houston. Today, she’s channeling her experience into a mission close to her heart—helping the next generation navigate the often-overlooked transition from school to work. Through Durable Minds Everboarding, Jillian is redefining what career readiness means, ensuring young professionals don’t just get hired, but thrive in their roles. Humans of Fuzia is honored to share her story with our 5 million-strong community, as her journey highlights resilience, purpose, and the power of building people-first workplaces. Her work reflects the very essence of “He for She” and “She for She”—lifting others while breaking barriers.
Q: Jillian, how would you describe yourself to our readers?
I’ve been a People Operations leader for about 16 years, working across healthcare, higher education, and corporate environments in Houston. My passion has always been people—building programs that support them. About two years ago, I co-founded Durable Minds Everboarding, which focuses on bridging the gap between school and work. We want to redefine career readiness by teaching the “unwritten rules” of the workplace—how to talk to your manager, how to navigate dynamics, and how to grow your career strategically. It’s about setting people up for success, not just getting them hired.
Q: Tell us more about Durable Minds Everboarding and how it began.
My co-founder, Dr. Anley, has been in learning and development for over 20 years. She studied how the next generation is onboarded and found clear gaps. There’s a lot of noise out there saying Gen Z is lazy or unmotivated—but we don’t believe that. Instead, we wanted to be a solution. Our focus is on building durable skills like decision-making, integrity, and authenticity—skills that will always be relevant, especially in a world rapidly changing with AI. Career readiness isn’t just about technical skills; it’s about being human in the workplace.
Q: Who are your programs designed for?
We work mainly with early-career professionals, starting from high school seniors through college and into their first jobs. The earlier people build durable skills, the better. Parents, universities, and students themselves are all part of our audience. On the corporate side, we also help companies design onboarding programs because we believe career growth should be continuous. That’s what “everboarding” means—onboarding isn’t just a one-time event; it’s a lifelong process throughout someone’s career.
Q: Starting something new is never easy. What challenges have you faced?
Marketing has definitely been a challenge. My background is in HR, not marketing, so there’s been a lot of trial and error. When you’re bootstrapped, you’re constantly learning new skills—whether that’s design, outreach, or building awareness. Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster: some days you’re on top of the world, and others are really tough. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Q: What goals are you working toward right now?
Our focus this year is on expanding outreach and building awareness. We’re reaching out to parents, students graduating next year, and corporate partners. Revenue growth and building a strong customer base are top priorities, but more importantly, we want to make sure students have access to tools that will help them succeed in their careers.
Q: Finally, what message would you like to share with women professionals and entrepreneurs in our community?
Believe in yourself and trust your skills. Entrepreneurship is not easy—you’ll hear a lot of “no’s” and face challenges that test you. But resilience and self-belief will carry you through. Don’t let self-doubt win. You’re doing something for the greater good, and that matters. Keep going—you’ve got this.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Trust yourself, believe in your skills, and don’t let self-doubt hold you back.” – Jillian Ferry
Connect with Jillian Ferry on LinkedIn or Instagram.
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