About Ayanna Hill-Gill
 
Ayanna Hill-Gill, affectionately known as Yanni, enters her 17th year at Purnell School. Throughout her tenure she has performed many roles such as science teacher, dorm parent, Dean of Students, and Associate Head of School.  In July 2007, she assumed the role as the 6th Head of School.  Ayanna holds a BS in Biology and Chemistry from Dickinson College and  an MA in Organizational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University.  In 2003, she was a Klingenstein Fellow where she took a one-year sabbatical to complete a graduate degree and focus on Private School Leadership.  In 2006, Ayanna was awarded an EE Ford Fellow to NAIS' Aspiring Heads program.

Before 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, in a more structured educational setting.

Yanni serves 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 National Association of Principals of Girls' Schools (NAPGS) and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).  She is an active member of the Princeton Club Women's Networking Career Group.

Yanni lives on campus in Johnson House with her husband Lamont Gill, their children, Ethan  and Elise and their dog, Kibo.