In this episode of Candid Conversations on Leadership, we sit down with Jean Driscoll, an eight-time winner of the Boston Marathon in the women’s wheelchair division and the Assistant Dean for Advancement at the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jean shares her remarkable journey from overcoming the challenges of spina bifida to becoming one of the world’s most decorated wheelchair athletes. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of leadership in all aspects of life.

Jean opens up about the pivotal moments in her life, from the difficult transition to using a wheelchair as a teenager to her recruitment to the University of Illinois. She reflects on how her competitive nature and rigorous training shaped her understanding of leadership, discipline, and teamwork. Her experiences as an elite athlete taught her the importance of structure, commitment, and respect—qualities that she has carried into her professional career. As she transitioned from athletics into fundraising and advancement, Jean faced imposter syndrome and the challenges of cold-calling potential donors. Through persistence and learning to embrace rejection as part of growth, she developed into a confident and effective leader.

Beyond her professional achievements, Jean’s passion for philanthropy and mentorship shines through in her work, particularly her efforts in Ghana to support individuals with disabilities. She shares how witnessing people with disabilities living in extreme conditions ignited a mission in her to uplift others, both literally and figuratively. Her leadership philosophy centers on investing in people, fostering a culture of respect, and making every experience count. Whether through coaching her advancement team, engaging with alumni, or leading community initiatives, Jean exemplifies the impact of caring and service-driven leadership.

Jean leaves listeners with powerful advice: leadership is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Whether leading from the front, middle, or behind, everyone has the ability to make a difference. She encourages aspiring leaders to dream big, work hard, and embrace both successes and failures as valuable learning experiences. This conversation is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ways in which leadership manifests in everyday moments, from athletic competitions to acts of kindness in a second-grade classroom.