What happens when a CHRO with an actuary’s mind, a leader’s heart, and a survivor’s grit steps into one of the world’s most complex global marine companies? You get Jill Wrobel — Executive Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Brunswick Corporation — and one of the most refreshing voices in modern leadership.
Jill oversees culture, talent, and operating strategy for 15,000 employees across 25 countries and 60 household-name marine brands. Under her leadership, Brunswick has become a magnet for top talent, a recognized Best Place to Work, and an engine of innovation that’s redefining what’s possible on the water. But it’s Jill’s story — from actuary to HR transformation leader to stage-four cancer survivor — that reveals the depth behind her philosophy: gratitude is a strategy, and continuous improvement is a way of life.
In this episode, Jill shares the moments that shaped her—from rolling under cars as a kid to help her dad, to navigating billion-dollar M&A chaos with humor and countdown clocks, to rebuilding her life after a medical miracle. And through it all, she shows why joy, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making might just be the ultimate leadership combination.
In this episode, we cover:- How a math-and-finance brain became a superpower in the people business
- Why culture and performance aren’t opposites—they’re accelerators
- How Brunswick uses AI and advanced tech to solve real customer pain points
- The leadership lesson Jill learned from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (yes, really)
- The power of listening sessions, boat shows, and “what’s something I don’t know?”
- How surviving stage-four cancer reframed her leadership, her energy, and her purpose
- Why “Next Never Rests” isn’t just a tagline—it’s a mindset
Jill is the rare leader who seamlessly blends analytics and empathy, resilience and optimism, business strategy and human truth. Her philosophy of continuous improvement—at work and in life—offers a blueprint for leaders navigating transformation, uncertainty, or simply the next right step.
This is an episode about boats, yes. But it’s also about courage, culture, curiosity, and what it really means to lead with purpose.
Key Moments07:36 - The Impact of a Math Background in HR
14:09 - Connecting Employee Experience to Business Success
18:07 - Staying Connected in a Large Organization
20:36 - The Power of Open-Ended Questions
23:03 - Leadership Lessons from the FTC Experience
24:55 - Innovative Leadership and Resilience
26:57 - Lessons from Family: A Father's Influence
31:21 - Overcoming Adversity: A Cancer Journey
38:01 - The Joy of Continuous Improvement
Show Notes- Book - Lives Lost and Leadership Found: https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Lost-Leadership-Found-Somebodies/dp/1032949856/
- Jill — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddy-bekele-b48219/
- Brunswick Corporation - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brunswick-corporation/
- Brunswick Corporation: brunswick.com/
- Jim Weaver — LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jim-weaver-36457418 Real Leadership Podcast: realleadership.oningroup.com
- Real Leadership — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/104897916/
- The Ōnin Group: oningroup.com/clients
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