A Milwaukee native and proud alumna of Rufus King International High School, pursued her passion for accounting at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, earning her Masters of Professional Accountancy in 2013. Jumpstarting her career at Johnson Controls and Deloitte, Jaquilla’s journey took a pivotal turn in 2016 when she founded Ross Financial, LLC, offering tax preparation, small business accounting, and financial consulting. Her firm has saved the local community nearly $30,000 in taxes, serving around 100 clients annually.

Committed to financial literacy, Jaquilla transitioned into academia in 2017, teaching at Alverno College, UW-Whitewater, and more, impacting over 200 students each year. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom, fostering financial literacy in the community through workshops and her “Finance Gurl” brand, focused on empowering minority women business owners.

Jaquilla’s heart for service led her to establish the Jaquilla J. Ross Book Scholarship at Marquette University in 2018, supporting students with financial need. An active community volunteer and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member, she co-chaired the successful AKA At The Derby scholarship event.

Driven by a passion for helping others and inspired by her own challenges, Jaquilla’s mission is clear: to serve and uplift her community, sharing financial wisdom and building a future of economic empowerment.