HOLLY JOY MCILWAIN
Speaker. Author. Coach. Consultant.
how it got started
Hear It From Me
For years, I have served as a helpful role to those seeking inspiration, help, or advice. In 2000, I finally decided to own that role and be intentional about it. I started writing about my passions, my thoughts, and curious wonderings about our society. I founded the Brave Women Project with a mission to give others a taste of what goes on in my mind, and it has been a wild success ever since.
Holly Joy
I graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville in 2003 with a bachelor's of Education, some graduate work in Theology and Philosophy, and a lot of amazing experiences. I spent years working with young people, families, schools, churches, health clubs, and really anywhere people gathered to talk about what was most important to them. Almost 15 years later, I met my husband Kevin, got married, and became a mom. At 30-something and expecting baby #2, I returned to Robert Morris University for my master's in Organizational Leadership.
I spent time dabbling in leadership development and talent acquisition through various firms before landing at Winner Partners in 2019. I'm also living a full-circle moment as a I have returned to higher education, this time in Human Resources!
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The most rewarding achievements thus far are my two boys and the happy home I have built with my loving husband, with loads of help along the way.
For She Who Leads is just the beginning of the bigger purpose that brings us here together. The Brave Women Project is about sharing the experiences that make us and break us, but most importantly make us who we are. After nearly 20 years of speaking and writing, I have finally found a home for my work and this project. I'm glad you here and along for the ride.