Firm Principals
Jill Kolling
LEED Accredited Professional
As the Founder of Paydirt, Jill Kolling recognized the opportunity for businesses to be better citizens of our planet and capitalize on their efforts through innovation and new business strategies. Jill also recognized the complex range of issues surrounding sustainability and has assembled a team of accomplished professionals with diverse backgrounds, expertise and interests to collectively guide our clients toward their sustainability goals. Jill’s own experience includes a unique combination of product development, operations management, manufacturing engineering, compliance assessments and management consulting for private and public organizations of all sizes.
Prior to founding Paydirt, Jill co-founded management consulting firm Forward Hindsight, Inc. and was considered one of the leading experts in the Midwest on conducting pragmatic and successful Sarbanes–Oxley compliance initiatives. Jill was an Ernst & Young 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year® finalist in Minnesota and the Dakotas.
With a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Computer Science, both from the University of Minnesota, Jill continues to study major trends in sustainability and alignment of environmental thinking with core business goals.
Eliza Clark, JD
LEED Accredited Professional
Eliza Clark fuses distinctive sustainability strategy with compelling communications for clients that seek to advance environmental stewardship while achieving key business objectives. Eliza’s core sustainability capabilities include strategic positioning, environmental benchmarking, internal communications, green events, corporate social responsibility reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
Prior to joining Paydirt, Eliza was vice president of one of the nation’s first environmental marketing agencies, where she directed a diverse range of initiatives for clients seeking to promote a “green” agenda. Previously, Eliza served as an account supervisor at Tunheim Partners, where she assisted Fortune 500 and nonprofit clients with a variety of strategic communications services, including media relations, public affairs and reputation management.
Eliza graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School, and summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Denison University. Eliza serves as Vice Chair of the Communications Committee for the Minnesota Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and is the host of the Urban Land Institute’s “Inside the Leadership Studio” mentoring series.
James Williams
Intrigued by the environmental benefits, value creation, and competitive advantage sustainability strategies bring to organizations globally, James joined Paydirt to help client’s pioneer sustainability solutions that increase their operational performance and profitability, while at the same time positively impacting the environment and communities they serve. Having worked in both large and small businesses, James’ expertise includes strategic and operational planning, market and financial analysis, product/service development and diversification, business process management, sales, and marketing communications.
Prior to joining Paydirt, James has held senior positions in business process outsourcing, procurement, energy management, healthcare, manufacturing, tax compliance, software development, and facilities management companies to include Target, Ergotron, Hunt Technologies, Convey, and Strategicsource. Most recently, James helped pioneer an outsourced purchasing service that helped companies reduce costs, optimize suppliers, and improve processes.
James received his MBA from the University of St. Thomas and BA from St. Johns University. He has been a national speaker at CPA & CFO conferences, Associations, and Manufacturer sponsored events on the topic of Strategic Outsourcing to Improve Operational Performance & Profitability. Most recently, James spoke at the AICPA national conference on the Importance & Benefits of Forming a Personal Board of Directors.