“We couldn’t be more pleased about the decision to hire Lynn,” said conference center president Pete Peery. “Not only does she have the professional skills and experience we were looking for; Lynn also shares our deep commitment to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is a longtime friend of Montreat. She understands its mission and is sensitive to the complexities involved in carrying that mission forward into the future.”
Gilliland currently serves as the executive director of first and second year experience at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. Her long association with the college has also included a role as executive director of alumnae/i activities during which time she traveled extensively to build support for the institution.
“The knowledge Lynn has gained in development and fundraising through her role with alumnae/i at Mary Baldwin has done much to prepare her for this new venture,” said Peery.
Gilliland holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina, where she was a John Motley Morehead Fellow and MBA Student Association President. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics, summa cum laude, from Mary Baldwin College. Gilliland is also an active member and ruling elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Staunton.
When asked about the new position, Gilliland was emphatic: “I truly believe with all my heart – and it is crystal clear to me – that God is calling me to this job. I have always had a passion for Montreat,” she continued, “and it has played a significant role in my life and that of my family.”
Gilliland and her husband Bill Gilliland have two children, Mac, a senior at Davidson College, and Matthew, a junior at The Asheville School.
