Jilian grew up on the Olympic Peninsula, in Washington. She attended Washington State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a concentration in rhetoric and professional writing, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. After graduating, Jilian joined Teach for America, which placed her in Phoenix, Arizona. Jilian spent 2 years as a TFA Phoenix corps member, while completing her Masters of Secondary Education degree at Arizona State University and working as a middle school English Language Arts teacher at a Title I school in the Phoenix Metro area. Jilian moved back to Washington in summer 2024 and attended the Morningside Summer Institute. When she isn't teaching, Jilian spends her time playing with her cat, Goose, and her rat, Dr. Rat. Jilian also enjoys skiing, hiking, reading, and searching for the best slice of pizza in Seattle.