Jill Yamma '00

Jill Yamma

Sports Information Director, Penn State Behrend Athletics department. Jill is also a 2000 Behrend Business, Liberal Arts and Science grad and a former student-athlete. She played on the women’s soccer team from 1996 to 1999 and was inducted into the college’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

About her job: I handle the communications and public relations for twenty-four varsity teams at Behrend. No two days are the same in this position and I pitch in wherever I am needed, but in general, I spend my work day updating scores and information at psblions.com, handling social media for the Athletics department, writing press releases, and preparing statistics for announcers at each game. 

Family: Partner, Rich; and two boys: Grant, 9, and Gavin, 5. 

Why she joined the WEC board: I like to be involved on campus and saw an opportunity to cultivate relationships with a lot of intelligent and inspiring women from diverse backgrounds. I like being part of a team and being able to give back to the college.

Most important traits for a professional woman to possess: Confidence and strong communication skills.

What she wishes every woman understood: How powerful our voices can be.

What she’s learned the hard way: To not lead with emotion. Take some time – be that an hour or a few days – to collect your thoughts before you respond in the heat of the moment.

Advice she received in college that she wishes she had ignored: Get a credit card.

Food she couldn’t imagine life without: Ice cream.

Boy-mom life: Relaxing for me looks like a couple of hours in the sun or watching a movie with the kids. It’s hard to relax with two rambunctious boys in the house.

Most interesting place she’s visited: In the U.S., I’d say Nashville, Tennessee. Internationally, I took a trip with the Behrend women’s soccer team to Ireland/England, and it was amazing.

If she had a whole day to herself: I’d get my nails done, visit my favorite stores, go to the beach/pool, and get some sushi.

 

Jill is happy to connect with you and is open to mentoring. How to reach her: