Jillian Papa is a Patient Experience Advocate who uses her lived experience with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) to support, educate, and advocate for others impacted by the condition. Diagnosed in 2012, she achieved recovery through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and medication management. Her journey led her to Emotions Matter, a nonprofit dedicated to BPD awareness and support, where she has been actively involved for the past eight years. In this time, she has facilitated online peer support groups, was the inaugural Board Chair, and currently serves as Chair of the Program Evaluation Committee, helping strengthen programs that serve the BPD community.

Professionally, Jillian brings over 15 years of experience evaluating nonprofit and government programs focused on children’s health and education. She holds a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and specializes in using data to improve program effectiveness and impact.

Outside of her professional and advocacy work, Jillian enjoys traveling, music, great food, and raising her two Boston Terriers in the Chicagoland area.