Pi Beta Phi - University of Southern California

ENTRE NOUS 2 Our sisters have been loving the house updates. W hen a young woman goes through recruitment, it's common they click with a chapter immediately. is was the case for Jill Cooper McDermott '97 as she discovered Pi Phi and met the enthusiastic members she would eventually call sisters. COLLEGE CONNECTIONS California Gamma became Jill's home on campus, the place where she would make memories with sisters through Pi Phi Luau, My Tie, football games, and plenty of other activities. Jill also found opportunities to support the chapter's growth as Junior Membership Chair, then as Membership Chair during her senior year. "It suited me well because I enjoy the organizational skills it required," she said. rough a particular Pi Phi connection, Jill found her path into the world of public relations. "My junior year summer, I was helping Natasha Deman Tronstein '96, who was our Membership Chair. She mentioned she was going to intern for the LA Kings, and it sounded thrilling to me! She casually said that she could help me get an interview, so I jumped on it." A PI PHI IN PR After an internship position with the Kings, Jill also interned for the Lakers the following year. Switching industries, she later worked with St. John Knits, GUESS, Escada, and JOE's Jeans. "My experience in the fashion industry was overshadowed by men not treating women the way we deserve," Jill added. "Sara Andreasson and I set out to create a company with a safe, healthy, and happy environment for women to work and thrive!" us, the award-winning bicoastal fashion and beauty agency, Michele Marie PR, came to be. e company currently employs 75- plus full-time employees and 20 interns—an all-female staff! e company's mission of a healthy environment for determined women is a product of Jill's formative years in Pi Phi. "We've won many awards and are listed as a Forbes top PR agency in America," Jill mentioned. "However, my greatest accomplishment is shown in the amazing, creative, smart, honest, independent women we employ. Women deserve a place to build an exciting career with a competitive salary, good health benefits, a retirement plan, and maternity-leave support while never being sexually harassed, dismissed, or underpaid because they are female." STAYING A SISTER Jill recognizes the importance of the sisterhood's network, and she regularly spends time with many fellow alumnae. During her first visit back to the Pi Phi house in over 10 years, Jill was overjoyed about the opportunity to chair next year's anniversary celebration. "e lessons I learned in my Pi Phi sisterhood combined with the lifelong bonds I formed make me absolutely compelled to pay it forward! Hopefully, my skill set from work will help contribute to a successful event." Jill married her husband, Dan, five years ago. Her stepson, Jackson, lives in New York City. In their spare time, Jill and Dan enjoy traveling together. You can connect with Jill and discuss the upcoming celebration at jill@MicheleMariepr.com. Pi Phi Pride Jill Cooper McDermott on Sisterhood and Healthy Workspaces for Women Jill Cooper McDermott '97 (middle) with sisters at the National Charity League luncheon, 2022.

• Cover