Trusteeship 101: Essentials for New and Returning Independent School Trustees

Ayanna Hill-Gill

President, ADVIS | Board Governance Expert & Educational Leadership Consultant

Ayanna Hill-Gill—known to many as Yanni—is a nationally recognized board governance expert and trailblazer in independent school leadership. As President of ADVIS (Advancing Independent Schools), she brings decades of experience as both an accomplished educator and a specialist in nonprofit board governance, helping school boards transform from well-intentioned groups into high-performing governance teams.

Governance Expertise & Training

Yanni is certified in Nonprofit Board Governance Consultation from BoardSource, the premier resource for nonprofit board leadership. She has facilitated hundreds of board retreats, governance workshops, and strategic planning sessions for independent schools across the country, specializing in the three modes of governance: Fiduciary, Strategic, and Generative. Her practical, engaging approach to board development has helped countless trustees move from uncertainty to confidence in their governance roles.

Her governance philosophy centers on the principle "To Whom Much is Given, Much is Required and to whom much is entrusted, even more is required" (Luke 12:48), reflecting her belief that effective boards are built on trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to institutional excellence.

Educational Leadership Background

With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from Dickinson College and a Master's in Education in Organizational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, Yanni's academic foundation is as robust as her practical experience. Her career spans decades of dedicated service in independent schools, where she has served as Head of School at both Purnell School in New Jersey and Atlanta Girls' School in Georgia.

As a school leader, Yanni made remarkable strides in integrating anti-bias work into school culture and curriculum, building strong academic programs, and ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion were not just ideals but lived experiences. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes creating environments where governance and operations work in seamless partnership.

National Influence & Service

Yanni's expertise extends far beyond individual schools. She has served on the boards of the International Coalition of Girls' Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), and Emory University's Visiting Board of Trustees. She is a proud member of the International Women's Forum and an active member of Kiwanis International, demonstrating her commitment to service at all levels.

Through ADVIS, she works with the boards of 130+ member schools, providing governance training, consultation, and strategic support. Her programs focus on building stronger educational communities, coaching aspiring and current administrators, and creating sustainable leadership pipelines for independent schools.

Beyond the Boardroom

Recently becoming an empty nester after moving her daughter to Boston University, Yanni proudly supports her son, a senior soccer player at Boston University.  When not transforming board governance, she can be found attending concerts, plays, and musicals, savoring moments by the beach, or curled up by a fire with a good book. She enjoys jigsaw puzzles and is already planning which games she will attend at the 2026 World Cup.

Yanni's commitment to community extends to her active involvement in her church and her dedication to building programs that foster financial literacy, STEM education, and leadership development for underserved communities.

Ayanna Hill-Gill is a leader who inspires change in education governance, helping boards navigate complexity with clarity, purpose, and—when appropriate—a healthy dose of humor. She believes that great schools deserve great governance, and great trustees deserve to know exactly what they're doing.