Leading as a Lifelong Learner

 

Jacqueline Williams- Roll, ’94 MHRIR

Job Title
Chief Human Resources Officer, General Mills

Hometown
Minneapolis

Hobbies
Biking, hiking (especially in the mountains), reading, and spending time with family, including two energetic and beloved Portuguese water dogs. And of course, Gopher sports!

When Jacqueline Williams-Roll, ’94 MHRIR, was a Carlson School student, she worked 50-plus hours a week and attended classes at night, on weekends, and over the summer to graduate early.

Waiting for her on the other side of graduation was an assistant human resources manager job at General Mills. From there, Williams-Roll worked her way up through multiple HR roles across the company. Now, as chief human resources officer leading global HR and corporate communications, Williams-Roll shares her insights with the Carlson School.
 

What are your favorite parts of your job?

Two key things come to mind. One is partnering with our CEO and peers to develop business strategies and plans, then working with my HR senior leadership team to translate these plans into a comprehensive talent strategy to grow our business. The other key piece is actively supporting our employees to reach their fullest potential.
 

What lessons did you learn at the Carlson School that you still use at work today?

First, know the business: I always say that you should never be able to pick out the HR leader in a business, and I expect all my HR leaders to know the business as well as their business peers. Second, change is constant: You need to have an insatiable appetite for learning and be able to adapt quickly. And finally, relationships matter and trust is paramount: At all levels, internally and externally, it always starts with trust. Trust comes from taking the time to build personal relationships and collaborate with those around you. To strengthen trust, you must honor your commitments, be honest, be transparent with feedback, and be accountable.
 

What advice do you have for current Carlson School students?

Never stop asking questions. You never know what you’re going to learn and the unexpected connection that can be made. Seek out new experiences—both personally and professionally—by connecting with individuals outside your industry. Be a lifelong learner, and take responsibility for your own development.