Gail Powell

Hi, I’m Gail Powell and I am a retired educator with a great love for God, family, and my country and community. Thankfully, children comprised my 46-year career as a teacher, elementary school principal, and nonprofit leader. I was a principal for 19 years and was also the Executive Director for High Hopes Development Center, a nonprofit serving children and youth with special needs for 15 years.

Family is in my core as I am the youngest of 5 children, married to Ben Powell, the youngest of 8 children, and we have 3 married children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. What a blessing it is to be part of such a legacy of wonderful family members. I was born in Amarillo, Texas, but moved to Franklin, Tennessee over 27 years ago. My undergraduate and master’s degrees were earned at West Texas A & M University, and I was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017. It was a privilege to be Lower School Principal at Battle Ground Academy from 1998-2007, and then Executive Director of High Hopes Development Center from 2007-2022. Retirement from fulltime work took place in June of 2022. I currently work part-time at Marlstone of Franklin Senior Living.

Community engagement in our incredible City of Franklin has been a joy and a priority. Participation in Franklin Citizen’s’ Police Academy and Leadership Franklin gave me a deep appreciation for our city. It was an honor to receive the Nashville Business Journal Williamson County Impact Award for two years as well as A Woman of Influence Award. Board service has included Youth Leadership Franklin (11 years), Williamson, Inc. Chamber of Commerce (3 years, secretary 2 years), United Way of Williamson County (1 year), Harpeth Hills Church of Christ Preschool (11 years), and currently on the Foundation Board for The Franklin Rotary at Noon (3 years and immediate past president). The Franklin Rotary at Noon proudly serves this community through the Franklin Rodeo, and I am cochair for Down in the Dirt, a complimentary evening of family fun with activities for all children. Since retirement, I have fallen in love with the women at Debra K Johnson Rehabilitation Center as a volunteer. That service has given me a heart and passion for the work at Oak Cottage for Women and am thrilled to be a new board member for that important mission. My husband and I are active members of Harpeth Hills Church of Christ.

My happiest place is always mountains, and especially the Rocky Mountains. I enjoy our family cabin in the Rocky Mountains of Northern New Mexico, and love sharing it with family and friends.