Joel has been raising funds for the Jewish Community for over 20 years in both Memphis and Atlanta and earned her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) accreditation in 2017. She has been with Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta for over 4 years, starting as a major gifts officer, then senior director of major gifts before being promoted to her current position. She received the 2017 Professional of the Year Award from the Association of Jewish Aging Services and the 2017 Outstanding Fundraising Executive Crystal Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Memphis Chapter. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.S. in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Joel spent 11 summers at URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp, where she met her husband, Dub. Their three now grown children also spent their summers there as will her grand-daughter as soon as she is old enough. After serving as the Jacobs Camp Committee Chair from 2003-2007, she has continued to volunteer her time making sure other Jewish kids can experience the magic of Jacobs Camp.