Meet the Director

Joan Duncan, Ph.D.
Director of Development
Donor Relations
Office-770-499-3051

Duncan holds the Ph.D. and Masters degrees in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University.  Her undergraduate degree is in advertising/public relations from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia.

Joan Todd Duncan is a seasoned higher education professional possessing more than two decades of experience in the University System of Georgia. 

Duncan enjoyed four years at SciTrek, the Science and Technology Museum of Atlanta, in various positions including the Director of Marketing and Director of Annual Giving.  Duncan began her career at Georgia State University where she served as a Continuing Education Conference Coordinator and Assistant to the Dean of the College of Education.  Extensive involvement with external constituents was the focus of her work at Georgia State.

She joined the Office of Development as the Director of Annual Giving in February 1998 having served the previous five years as a writer in the Office of the President.  Duncan serves as Director of Development and Donor Relations, producing presidential-level donor and stewardship events.  Her current charge, also includes annual outreach to faculty and staff and various community constituencies. 

Professionally, she is involved with the Association of Donor Relations Professionals, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, as well as the Georgia Education Advancement Council. She is also active with the Vinings Rotary Club, having served as international service chair.  Duncan’s academic appointment is in the Department of Communication where she occasionally teaches public speaking and various public relations courses.

A native of Dalton, Georgia, she is married to Lee Duncan, a real estate development professional.  They have one child, Chip, who is a student at North Georgia College and State University and a member of the college’s baseball team.  The Duncans reside in Sandy Springs.

Duncan is an active member of the Cathedral of St. Philip, serving with the Green Apron ministry and as a lay reader.