Named one of Soirée’s 2023 Men on a Mission, Joel Gill brings passion, creativity, and deep experience to his role as Executive Director of Ferncliff. A proud Arkansas native and graduate of Austin College, Joel joined the Ferncliff team in 2011 as Program Director and was named Executive Director in 2017.

With a background that spans camps and youth development programs across the country—including formative time at the Arkansas 4-H Center and Heifer International—Joel has cultivated a unique leadership style rooted in service, innovation, and community. His approach combines a heart for ministry with a head for strategy, always focused on Ferncliff’s mission of welcoming people into a life of caring for creation, others, and themselves.

Joel served for seven years on the board of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association, including a term as President, and is recognized as a leader in the outdoor ministry world. When he’s not dreaming up new ideas for Ferncliff or cheering on his four kids at the ball field, you’ll find him trail running or swapping stories with friends.

At his core, Joel believes in the transformative power of nature and the importance of showing up for others. He sees Ferncliff not just as a workplace, but as a sacred space where faith, creativity, and community intersect.