Critical Inflection Points with Jill Kellett

In this episode, Carl Cleanthes sits down with Jill Kellett, Vice President of Product at Root Insurance, the largest public insurtech in the United States. With 15 years of industry experience, Jill is a dynamic leader who specializes in turning around businesses, teams, and projects during critical inflection points. Her career spans retail, higher education, nonprofits, and insurance, where she has navigated challenges with creativity and strategic insight. Jill’s passion for blending design, business, and innovation has left a lasting mark across the industries she’s touched.

 

What You’ll Learn:

• The role of creatives in business and team turnarounds.
• How to identify and address "bleeding areas" in struggling businesses.
• The importance of servant leadership and transparency during crises.
• Practical strategies for "killing your darlings" to focus on value-driven work.
• Why creativity thrives in challenging times and how it fosters innovation.
• The power of facilitation, active listening, and design thinking in solving business problems.
• Lessons on adaptability and leading from the bottom in small and medium-sized businesses.

 

Episode Overview:

Jill Kellett provides deep insights into how creatives can drive meaningful change in business turnarounds, sharing experiences from her time at Express, Root Insurance, and other organizations. She highlights how creative problem-solving, listening skills, and a willingness to adapt are crucial in overcoming challenges.

"Creatives have superpowers that others don't—they listen, empathize, and reflect solutions back in ways that inspire change".

Jill explains how designers and product managers play pivotal roles in moments of crisis, helping teams reorganize and realign priorities. From navigating the financial downturns of small businesses to scaling back operations strategically, Jill’s perspective offers practical advice for leaders looking to build resilient organizations.