Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Dunn.
Hi Jill, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in El Segundo, CA and graduated from El Segundo High School. After graduating, my twin sister and I went to UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). I graduated with a BA, in Communication from UCSB, and I have an M.A. in Human Behavior from National University.
I began my career in 1998, working in finance at The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA. After a year in finance, I transitioned to Public Affairs as an Office Assistant and moved my way up through the Public Affairs and Corporate Communications organizations doing corporate events, executive events, community relations, media relations, and internal and external communications. While at The Aerospace Corporation, I was on the El Segundo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and I chaired the Education Committee. I was also on the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors. In 2006, I was hired by the Chevron El Segundo Refinery as a Public Affairs Representative in the Policy, Government, and Public Affairs Department. In that role, I represented Chevron in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance. I was Chevron’s representative with various non-profit and business organizations in the Beach Cities, including Chair of the Board for the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, Chair of the Best of Manhattan Awards, Neptunian Woman’s Club Board of Directors, South Bay Association Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, President of the Manhattan Beach Fire Foundation, President of the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council, and the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation Business Advisory Council. In January of this year, I took on the role of managing Corporate Affairs for the Southwest Region of Chevron’s Americas Products business. My current territory is Southern California, East to New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and Utah. I now represent Chevron on the Orange County Business Council (OCBC) Board of Directors, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Brea Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I got married about two years after graduating from college. My daughter Bailee was born in 2002 and my son Dylan was born in 2005. I got divorced and became a single mom in 2012. It was tough working full-time and raising two children.
I got married a second time to a fire captain, Robert Taylor, from the Chevron Fire Department. He loved my children and me very much. I learned so many things from him, and I thought he was my forever. In January 2018, Robert was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I was absolutely devastated. Chevron let me work from home so I could take of him until he passed away on September 1, 2018. It was the hardest thing I have been through in my life. To see someone, you love, suffer, and succumb to such an awful disease was devastating. Along with my children, he was my everything. I was 43 and a widow.
Before he passed away he told me he didn’t want me to live life alone and that he was going to send me someone after he passed away. I told him I didn’t want anyone else but him, but he had other plans for me.
I was raised Catholic, but I had been away from the Church for many years. When Robert was diagnosed with cancer, I got an internal calling to return to the Church. I started attending mass again at American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach. I went every week and would light a candle for Robert. Before he passed, Robert told me he wanted to become Catholic. About two weeks before he died, Msgr. Barry from American Martyrs came to our home in Redondo Beach and baptized, administered first communion, confirmed, and gave Robert his last rites. Robert was unconscious, but I know he felt what was happening. It was incredible to experience that with him and Msgr. Barry.
The time after Robert died was very difficult for my children and me. The first few months were a blur. And then, incredible things started to happen. A couple of weeks before Christmas, I got a call at work that there was a delivery for me at the front desk. It was flowers and a handwritten card from Robert. I couldn’t believe it. It happened three more times after that. He loved me so much that he planned the deliveries and wrote the cards while he was sick. Who does that? It was a sign from my angel in Heaven that he was okay.
I cried every day for six months after Robert died, and then one day my son said, “Mommy, you cry every day. I wish you would be happy again. Robert wanted you to be happy.” That’s when I decided it was time to move on and be strong for my children and for myself. I missed living life with someone, but I just couldn’t imagine being with someone else.
I took a leap of faith and decided to try online dating. Ugh! I went online and Googled “best dating website.” A site called Zoosk came up. I had never heard of it, but I went on anyway and developed a profile. Within one hour, a profile for an attractive man came up, and I got this weird feeling. I was brave and sent him a message. He replied immediately. Long story short, he took me to dinner two nights later. And guess what? He was Captain Mark Dunn from Anaheim Fire & Rescue, he was Catholic, and he was perfect! I knew he was who Robert had sent. Robert had sent me an angel on earth.
Mark and I got married in 2021 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. He is absolutely incredible and has made my life so happy and filled with love again. We attend mass together at American Martyrs. He was my Confirmation sponsor, and we are also Eucharistic Ministers. Everything in my life has fallen into its place.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I absolutely love working with people. That is one of the reasons why I love my job with Chevron so much because everything I do is with people.
As a corporate affairs professional I am responsible for managing the relationship between Chevron and our stakeholders, including government officials, media, employees, and the public. My main role is to protect and enhance Chevron’s reputation.
Through government relations, I build and maintain relationships with government officials and monitor legislative and regulatory developments that may impact our industry. I am also an advocate for our industry.
When it comes to the media, I develop and implement strategies to manage Chevron’s image in the media, including responding to media inquiries, organizing press conferences, and issuing press releases. I also handle crisis communications in case of any negative publicity.
I also manage Chevron’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as philanthropy and community engagement in the Southwest Region. I develop and implement CSR strategies to positively impact Chevron’s reputation and build relationships with stakeholders.
I engage with the public and other external stakeholders to promote Chevron’s interests and manage issues that may arise. This may involve participating in industry associations, community outreach programs, and public consultations.
Overall, my role at Chevron is to ensure that the company maintains a positive public image, complies with regulations, and effectively communicates with its stakeholders.
What’s next?
I look forward to finishing my career out with Chevron. I couldn’t imagine working for another company. Chevron is a fantastic corporation that allows for a good work-life balance. It has given me so many opportunities to be involved with amazing projects and people. I loved that it is guided by The Chevron Way.
I probably won’t be retiring anytime soon, but when I do, I look forward to enjoying life with my husband, kids, family, and friends!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chevron.com
- Instagram: mrs_dundee444
Image Credits
Personal photos
