Jill was born and raised in Digby. She earned a BSc in Environmental Biology from the University of New Brunswick Saint John and a postgraduate diploma in Sport and Event Marketing from George Brown College. She is working toward completing her Master's Degree in Community Development.

Jill is the Project Lead for the local Turning the Tide initiative at Inspiring Communities, a non-profit organization.

Her determination to contribute to her community includes being the Co-Chair of the Refugee Sponsorship Group ‘Team Rima’.  She also volunteers with various events and boards in the area and led the organization of the first and second Multicultural Festival for the Digby area.

Jill is the middle daughter of former Digby-Annapolis MLA and cabinet minister, Hon. Gordon Balser. She is a certified yoga instructor, an avid runner and enjoys golfing with her mom, Wendy and time spent with her sisters Erin and Anne. She lives in Cornwallis Park with her partner Alex.