Ayanna Hill-Gill

Ayanna Hill-Gill, affectionately known as Yanni, is the Head of School at Atlanta Girls' School. Prior to AGS, Yanni worked at Purnell School, a boarding school for girls in New Jersey, where she was the Head of School since 2007. Yanni holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Dickinson College and a master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College with an emphasis on Private School Leadership. She has been a yearlong Klingenstein Fellow and an EE Ford Fellow for NAIS’ Aspiring Heads Program. Prior to her tenure at Purnell, Yanni worked at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden building their community outreach program and developing curriculum for children's educational programs. In 1992, Yanni lived in Costa Rica while studying sustainable development and conducting independent research in water quality. It was these two experiences that led Yanni to teaching, particularly science. As a graduate of an all girls’ school in Philadelphia, Yanni has committed her career to creating opportunities for girls and young women to discover their voices, achieve success and become leaders in the fields of their choice.

Yanni currently serves on the Board of the Heads Network and the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools. She serves locally as a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Village Project, an all girls school for refugees in Decatur, GA. Yanni has served as a Trustee on the Board of Rutgers Prep School in New Brunswick, NJ, Far Hills Country Day School in Far Hills, NJ, Link Community School in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and Willowwood Arboretum.

Ayanna on her sheroes: There are so many women in my life who could be considered my sheroes because of how she guided me or impacted my life in a significant way. There are so many that have come before me on whose shoulders I stand. There is one shero I honor in my daily work - Wanda Holland Greene, the head of an all-girls school in San Francisco. She encouraged me to bring my authentic self to work, each and every day. Wanda’s ability to coach other women into recognizing their greatness and owning it allowed me to teach my students why authenticity is critical in leadership. I am forever grateful for her mentorship and continued friendship in this work of leading, inspiring, encouraging, and educating girls and young women.