JILL OLMSTEAD
Chief Human Resource Officer, LendingTree
Jill’s first attempts at dance were in her hometown of Kingsport, TN as a 5-year-old. Her dad, who spent his career at Tennessee Eastman Company as the Head of Community Relations and PR, recalls those dance lessons better than Jill does.
When Jill told her parents about her Dancing With The Stars performance, her dad said with a grin, “You don’t have to do ballet do you? I never thought you showed great potential.”
Jill’s mom is a retired elementary school teacher. Her older sister followed in their mom’s footsteps and teaches first grade in Hendersonville, NC.
Jill is also a teacher of sorts. Her career has been focused on building leadership skills in people in corporate and nonprofit environments. She graduated from Clemson University, where she enjoyed seeing the Tigers win their first National Championship her freshman year. She’s still a big football fan and returns to Death Valley when she can to see the Tigers. Jill also holds a Masters in Human and Organizational Behavior from Fielding University.
After graduation, Jill joined First Union (now Wells Fargo) and, over the course of more than two decades, built a career in HR and leadership development. She was a Founding Partner in Spivey&Olmstead, a talent and leadership consulting firm, before joining LendingTree in 2018 as Chief Human Resources Officer. Building strong cultures through great leadership has been Jill’s primary professional interest.
One of Jill’s best days ever was the day in 1992 she married Don. They have two grown sons, Jack and Ben, and feel fortunate to have built a life in Charlotte. They are passionate about giving back to the city they love – particularly in the areas of education, the arts, and working on solutions for families experiencing homelessness and affordable housing issues.
Active in the community, Jill has served on the First Presbyterian Church College of Elders, the Board of Trustees for Charlotte Latin School, and the Board of Harvey B. Gantt African American Arts. Don introduced Jill to Charlotte Family Housing when he joined the board several years ago, and they both advocate for the critical work that organization does to assist families experiencing homelessness.
Profession/Career: Currently Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer at LendingTree. Previous: Founding Partner, Spivey&Olmstead Leadership, 2010-2018 and EVP, MD, Head of HR, Corporate and Investment Bank, Wachovia Corporation 2005-2009.
Interests/Hobbies: Adventure travel, listening to live music, and supporting the Panthers and the Hornets.
Dance experience: Jill’s dance experience is limited to the ballet lessons she took for four years beginning when she was 5, which she labels “a disaster.” She was also known to dance on fireplace mantles at various college parties.
Why are you participating in this event? My mission is simple and singular: to spotlight the crucial work Charlotte Family Housing (CFH) does in our community. I am willing to humiliate myself to do that.
Fun facts about yourself: My first summer job was as a forklift operator. I haven’t used that skill since 1983, but the experience proved to me that it can be fun and character building to step outside your comfort zone. I also want to hop on a forklift everytime I am in a home improvement center.
JUWAN ALSTON
Seasons with Charlotte Ballet: 5
Juwan began dancing at the age of 15 at Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, TX. He was awarded the Senior Hip-Hop Scholarship at the Texas Association of Teachers Dancing Inc. convention in June 2012. He began serious study of ballet at Dancers Workshop in Austin, TX. In 2013, he attended American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive on scholarship. Juwan attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2014, where he performed in ballets by Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Susan Jaffe and Ethan Stiefel. Currently, he serves as a Professional Mentor for Texas Future Dance Educators, Guest Faculty for the UNC School of the Arts Preparatory Dance Program and as a freelance master teacher. Since joining Charlotte Ballet in 2015, he has performed in ballets by Ohad Naharin, Dwight Rhoden, Alonzo King, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Sasha Janes, David Ingram and Mark Diamond.
CHARLOTTE FAMILY HOUSING
Affordable housing has reached a crisis level in our community. Charlotte Family Housing (CFH) is on the front lines of the effort to address that need. CFH empowers working families experiencing homelessness to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. They do that by providing shelter, housing, supportive services, and advocacy. CFH’s team of social workers, resident advisors, housing resource coordinators, and volunteers provides a safety net for hard-working families who want to be productive and self-sufficient community members.
LEADERS AT A GLANCE
Checkout the fundraising competition live via the Star Dancer leaderboard. Support your favorite Star Pair and cast your vote today by purchasing tickets or making a donation. All ticket sales and donations received are split 50/50 with Charlotte Ballet and the Star Dancer’s chosen charity. $1=1 Vote! On March 7, the People’s Choice Award will be presented to the Star Pair with the most funds raised. Judges’ Choice Award is presented to the Star Pair the judges determine had the best moves.
Total: $1,410,121
Thank you to our sponsors
- Prima
- Relevé
- Plié
- Pirouette
- Arabesque