Jill Golder

 
Academic Background
 
Jill Golder has built a remarkable career distinguished by her strong expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and leadership in the restaurant and retail industries. Her academic journey started at Kalamazoo College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, with minors in Mathematics and French, graduating Cum Laude. During her studies, she also spent time at the University of Strasbourg, focusing on French literature and art history. Jill later pursued an MBA with a specialization in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, further solidifying her financial knowledge.

 
Professional Career
 
Jill's professional career began with a role as a Senior Research Economist in the Automotive Group at Data Resources Inc. from 1984 to 1986. She then moved to Domino’s Pizza, where she served as the Director of Strategic Planning & Corporate Analysis from 1994 to 1995.

 
Contributions in the Restaurant Industry
 
Her significant contributions in the restaurant industry began with various roles at Darden Restaurants. Over a span of several years, she held key positions such as Vice President Finance and Assistant Controller, and Senior Vice President Finance and Controller for different brands including Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, and the Specialty Restaurant Group.

 
Executive Roles
 
Jill's career continued to advance when she joined Ruby Tuesday in January 2013 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She led corporate finance, treasury, accounting, and other functions, earning a promotion to CFO in 2014. Jill then made a substantial impact at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from April 2016 to December 2020, expertly steering the company through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 
Board Memberships
 
In addition to her executive roles, Jill has served on several boards.

• She joined the Board of Directors at ABM Industries in September 2019 and currently serves on the Audit and Governance committees.
• Jill is also a Board Member at MOD Pizza and IZEA, contributing her expertise to their Audit and Governance committees.
• Since January 2022, she has been a member of the Board of Directors for Sysco, where she serves on the Audit, Compensation & Leadership Development, and Technology Committees.

 
Recognitions and Skills
 
Throughout her career, Jill has been recognized for her mentorship and talent development skills. She has demonstrated a consistent ability to drive growth and manage complex financial functions, strategic planning initiatives, and technology implementations. Her diverse experiences and strategic leadership have made her a respected figure in the finance and restaurant industries.