Name
Gillian Conrad
Age
37
Company/Organization
Corewell Health
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
We are here to make health better. In the communities we serve across the state, we share our bold commitment to helping people be well, so they can live their healthiest life possible.
Education
B.A. in Communication and B.A. in Spanish, Calvin University Masters in Public Health, Loyola University Chicago
Accomplishments
Professionally, I am proud of what I was able to contribute to the community response while working at the Berrien County Health Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am honored to serve on the St. Joseph Public School Board of Education currently and so proud of how the teachers and staff help kids learn and grow. My personal humble brag: I read 152 books during 2024!
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
Professionally, I want to complete accreditation in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America. Personally, I want to travel more – I hope to add a few more stamps to my passport before I’m 40!
Current City
St. Joseph
Place You Were Born
Wheaton, IL
What was your first job?
First job: babysitting First job requiring I pay taxes: lifeguarding First “big girl” job: Administrative Assistant at the American Cancer Society in Portage, MI
What’s the best advice you ever got?
Always be kind. And, when you know better, do better.
Who inspires you most?
My kids! Watching them grow, learn and discover the world reminds me every day of the importance of leading with kindness, curiosity and resilience.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I am a childhood cancer survivor! As a teenager, I was lucky to successfully go through treatment for osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and have been cancer-free since.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
Read! If I’m not reading, then spending time with friends and family.
What book are you reading now?
It changes frequently as I read quickly, but currently I’m reading “The Poppy Fields” by Nikki Erlick.
Volunteer activity you love the most.
Helping with my kids’ sports and activities – seeing them engaged in something they enjoy and encouraging other young people to succeed brings me so much joy!
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I’m motivated by both a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, opportunities and support systems that helped shape my path – and I believe it’s important to pay that forward. Its up to all of us to create the kind of place we want to call home.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
Control time – pause to enjoy the moment, rewind to revisit cherished memories or fast-forward through the boring bits!
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I’d like my legacy to be one of meaningful impact – where the work I’ve done has helped improve people’s lives in a lasting way. I hope my legacy reflects a commitment to helping others, using my skills to serve a greater purpose, lifting people up and leaving things better than I found them.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
This honor is deeply meaningful to me both professionally and personally. It represents a recognition not just of what I’ve accomplished, but of why I do what I do. I’m especially grateful because this honor reflects not just my individual achievement, but the support of the teams, mentors and community members that have helped me grow. More than anything, it motivates me to keep pushing forward: continue learning and growing, to lead with integrity and support the next generation who are just as passionate about making a difference.
