At Tandym, we know that success is a team sport—and every month, we take a moment to recognize one standout player who goes above and beyond. Our Teammate of the Month isn’t just someone who gets the job done; they embody our values, uplift those around them, and make a lasting impact. Get to know Jillian Ritz, a Managing Director on our Compliance team and Tandym’s Teammate of the Month for March 2025!

Who are you?

I grew up as the youngest of three girls in North Caldwell, New Jersey. While I don’t always like to call myself a “Jersey girl,” I suppose it’s true at heart! My dad, who is no longer with us, was a financial planner and my mother, juggled being a full-time mom while holding down a job in computer programming throughout the 90s.

Growing up, I played soccer and lacrosse, and even gave track a try (though I quickly realized it wasn’t for me). Midway through high school though, I shifted gears from sports to work, diving into my first job as an administrative assistant to an accountant. While all of my friends were working as babysitters or at ice cream shops, I worked three days a week after school (and during the summers) in an office. I got my first taste at adulthood young and took it seriously enough to wear a blazer to school on those days.

I went on to attend Bucknell University, which holds a special place in my heart. Not only did my parents meet there, but it’s also where I met my husband, Will. I earned my degree in Global Management – which is just a fancy way to say international business.

Today, I’m back in Caldwell, where my husband and I recently bought our first home. We have a one-and-a-half-year-old son named George and a golden retriever named Phil. Both keep us all on our toes!

Rank these from best to worst: French Toast, Waffles, & Pancakes?

Pancakes take the top spot—especially when shared with a group. I love ordering what I like to call “table cakes” when I’m out to a diner with friends or family. You know, just a plate of pancakes meant for everyone to share. Waffles are second, thanks to their versatility. You can dress them up however you’d like—with fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or anything in between. French toast, though, ranks a bit lower for me. It’s a risky order—when it’s good, it’s great, but when it’s bad, there’s just no saving it.

Who were your heroes and inspirations growing up?

I know it might sound a little cliché—I read the Spotlights you send out every month—but without a doubt, my biggest inspiration is my mom. I had the unique perspective of seeing her both as a working parent and later as a stay-at-home mom, and she truly crushed it in both roles. These days, she’s navigating life as a widowed woman with such grace and strength. She’s living her best life—traveling with her closest friends, maintaining a strong bond with all of us kids, and still working even though she doesn’t need to. She genuinely enjoys it.

She’s also incredibly handy. She owns every tool imaginable and somehow knows how to use them all. Whether it’s installing light fixtures, climbing ladders, or fixing plumbing, she tackles it all head-on. She tries to teach us, but truthfully, none of us are quite on her level.

She always says that once she’s fully retired, she wants to work at Home Depot, just for the fun of it because it’s the best store around (her words). If my son grows up and feels even a fraction of the admiration and appreciation for me that I feel for her, especially when he’s in his 30s, then I’ll know I’ve done something right.

If your job had a theme song every time you logged in, what would it be?

Are we talking about personal or professional life here? Because if it’s professional, I know this might sound a little out there—but the new Microsoft Teams tone called “Remix” is kind of a bop. Seriously, it gets me going! If I need a quick pick-me-up to snap into work mode, that’s my go-to. Judge me if you must and shout out to Lisa Rizzo for the introduction to the jam.

Now, on the personal side, it’s “Reelin’ in the Years” by Steely Dan. It’s one of those songs that was always playing in my house growing up, so it hits me with a wave of nostalgia every time I hear it. We have a record player at home, and now my son loves listening to it too, which makes it even more special. It’s just one of those songs I never get tired of—it’s timeless.

Did you find Tandym or did we find you?

I’d say it was a little bit of both. Fresh out of school, I was working at Yelp doing high-volume cold call sales—cut to me living in Brooklyn and not exactly loving it. I was ready for a change, so I started applying to HR Coordinator roles and stumbled upon a permanent position that caught my eye. That’s when Tandym’s Internal HR team reached out—not for the role I applied to, but for an internal position as an Onboarding Coordinator in the Parsippany office. Fast forward 6.5 years later, and here I am!

If you had to join any other department at Tandym, which would it be and why?

Ooh, that’s a good question. I think if I had to join another department at Tandym, I’d go with Marketing. It just seems like you all genuinely have a lot of fun and get to be creative while still making a real impact.

I also love that Marketing touches every part of the business. You collaborate with so many different teams, and that kind of cross-functional energy really appeals to me. I like to think you and I both live in that “middle office” sweet spot—we get to be involved in a little bit of everything. What we do each day matters and supports the bigger picture, but we’re not living and dying by quotas or sales numbers. It’s a nice balance of meaningful work without that high-pressure hustle every single day.

What was it like to win Tandym’s Teammate of the Month? Give us a play by play.

I was at home with my sick kid sitting on my lap during the town hall. While I was trying to pay attention, he was on my lap enthusiastically shoving books in my face. So yes, I was technically tuned in, but I didn’t fully realize my name had been called until I glanced up at the screen and saw my face.

It caught me completely off guard in the best way. I feel like I missed out on fully soaking in the moment in real time, but once it sank in, I was genuinely surprised and incredibly touched. It meant so much to find out that so many people had nominated me—and especially that my team rallied together to give me such a thoughtful shoutout. It was such a heartwarming reminder of the kind of people I get to work with every day.

If you could live in any state not in the tri-state area, what would it be and why?

Easy answer: Vermont. You know what they say, “you go for the winters and stay for the summers!” It’s been like a second home to my family since I was little, and I honestly can’t think of anywhere else that has four seasons of sheer beauty. Vermont’s all about outdoor activities, no matter the season and, if you’re in the right town, it’s not just about nature. They’ve got some surprisingly great food and fun nightlife, too. It’s the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and good vibes.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I definitely have a mixed desk of responsibilities. My role involves onboarding candidates for both corporate services and physicians, so that’s how I start off my days – following up with candidates currently in the process, reaching out to those who’ve accepted offers, and staying on top of all the details. I really enjoy the balance of working with candidates and collaborating with the team internally—it keeps things dynamic and never boring.

On the strategy and implementation side, I’m often problem-solving any technical or process issues that come up. I work closely with Vicky to identify gaps and find ways to improve along the way, which is a great opportunity for continuous growth.

What makes it really fun is being right in the weeds with my team. While I’m deep in the daily tasks, I also get to take a step back and look at the bigger picture—evaluating team efficiency and working to make sure we’re always improving how we do our jobs. It’s a perfect mix of hands-on work and strategic planning!

You’ve been chosen to lead a mission to Mars. Which three coworkers are you bringing and what are their roles?

This is kind of hard, but I think I know who I’d go with. First, Courtney Hatton would be our lead researcher and data analyst—she’d make sure we’re documenting everything properly and not missing a single detail. Next, Jamila Spence would be our operations lead. Once we land, she’s turning Courtney’s findings into action. She’s a strategic thinker who can pivot on a dime if things get weird. Last but not least, Vicky Levy is our morale captain and mission compass. She’d make sure we actually enjoyed being on Mars, reminding us to take it all in, and keeping us on schedule so we didn’t miss our ride home.

What are your goals for 2025 and beyond?

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, one of my biggest goals is to continue fostering my team’s growth. I want each person to feel confident, empowered, and recognized for the crucial role they play within the company. When people feel ownership in their work, the entire team thrives—and I want to help create that kind of environment.

On the tech side, I’m really focused on automation. I’d love to streamline as many of our processes as possible—not just for efficiency’s sake, but so we can clear space for more impactful, strategic work (and be better prepared when those unexpected tasks pop up). And yes… Chairman’s Circle is absolutely on my radar. Whatever it takes to stand out this year and earn that invite, I’m all in.

What’s your go-to lunch order during a busy work week at the New Jersey office?

All my Parsippany folks already know the answer to this one—Palermo’s, hands down. My go-to order is G’s Salad – romaine salad with breaded chicken, pesto, fresh mozzarella, tomato, and balsamic dressing. Honestly, it’s so popular in our office that when we all place our orders, our salads end up looking nearly identical. So, if you’re ever visiting the NJ office, just order the salad. You won’t regret it.