Holladay Properties and Holladay Construction Group is pleased to welcome Jillian Koeneman as Senior Marketing Director to its South Bend, IN office. Koeneman comes to Holladay from Ben’s Soft Pretzels Franchising, where she served as Vice President.
“Holladay could not be more thrilled to welcome Jillian to our family,” shared Drew Mitchell, Partner and Vice President of Holladay Properties. “Our search committee looked far and wide for the best candidate — from Nashville to Chicago — and were pleased to find Jillian right in our backyard. On behalf of Holladay, we warmly welcome Jillian and look forward to further expanding our marketing reach and capabilities under her leadership.”
Koeneman joined Holladay earlier this year will be responsible for the overall marketing and branding of both Holladay Properties and Holladay Construction Group. She will also oversee Holladay’s community investment initiatives and philanthropic efforts.
“I’m so excited to help this well-established firm soar to new heights by combining my marketing strategy, branding, digital, graphic and web design, social media, PR, real estate, construction, and franchising experience,” Koeneman said. “Holladay Properties has been doing amazing things in the community since 1952 and I can’t wait to help further tell our dynamic story.”
Koeneman’s entrepreneurial background, extensive expertise in all facets of marketing, and previous real estate and construction marketing experience made her the perfect fit to take the seasoned brand to the next level. In her role as Vice President at Ben’s Soft Pretzels, Koeneman helped grow the brand from 20 locations to over 132 locations in 12 states. During her time there she also exponentially grew the marketing exposure and audience, as well as helped to significantly increase average ticket size. She also participated in lease renewal negotiations, assisted with the development of new location floorplans and remodels, as well as oversaw new location punch lists and buildouts. Previously, in Koeneman’s role as President and Co-founder of Freshlime Digital Marketing, she developed and executed social media strategies, pay-per-click strategies, built and maintained websites, and helped with various branding and marketing efforts for several well-known construction and real estate companies in the South Bend and Chicago areas.
Koeneman holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University where she was a back-to-back national water polo champion and honors student. She is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), and she previously has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including the International Franchising Association Marketing Committee, the American Marketing Association Michiana Chapter, the Public Relations Society of America Chicago Chapter, the Women Business Owners of Michiana, and the Elkhart Humane Society. Koeneman’s entrepreneurial spirit and heart for helping others earned her a spot in the Michiana 40 Under 40, she was recognized as a Sassy Magazine’s Woman to Watch, received the Elkhart Humane Society’s Volunteer of the Year honor, and was awarded the International Franchising Association’s Franchising Gives Back Award. She currently volunteers as a web designer for St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Church in Goshen.