Jillian Stephens
Jackie began her career at MGP as a GIS Analyst in January 2024. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater where she also received a GIS certificate. Jackie then went on to get her master’s in environmental science with a graduate GIS certificate from DePaul University. While in her undergraduate and graduate studies, Jackie conducted numerous environmental research studies on both endangered and economically significant species. She previously worked at the Lake County Forest Preserve District, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and the Nature Conservancy as a GIS Intern and research assistant. Jackie loves to spend her free time immersed in nature. While in college, she took a class in ornithology which taught her to have a keen eye for bird identification based on their physical appearance and even by their unique call! Before working with GIS, Jackie considered a career path in the veterinary field. For two years, Jackie worked as a non-critical post-operation technician at a 24/7 veterinary hospital. Her favorite memory was assisting in the OR during a labrador’s C-Section where she got to help wake up the puppies.