Joel’s Bio
Joel M. Winston
Founder, Winstonville Community Foundation | Nonprofit Advocate | Community Development Leader
Joel M. Winston is a visionary nonprofit leader and social entrepreneur with a passion for community development, economic empowerment, and the arts. As the founder of the Winstonville Community Foundation (WCF), he is committed to creating sustainable opportunities for underserved communities, particularly in his hometown of Winstonville, Mississippi. His work focuses on economic development, education, and community well-being—laying the foundation for long-term growth and prosperity.
With a diverse career spanning nonprofit leadership, business development, technology consulting, and the performing arts, Joel brings a unique blend of strategic planning, fundraising, and organizational leadership to his work. He has successfully guided nonprofits and small businesses through growth, funding, and digital transformation, helping them increase their impact and sustainability.
A Career Rooted in Service and Innovation
Joel’s professional journey began in music performance and production, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for the power of creativity and community engagement. Starting as a multi-instrumentalist, he later transitioned into the technical side of the industry, working with renowned artists such as Harry Belafonte and contributing to major live productions as a sound, lighting, and special effects engineer.
His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Urban Marketing Concepts and later Arts Marketing Group, providing marketing and fundraising solutions for arts organizations such as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, BalletMet, and the Columbus Children’s Choir. These experiences shaped his ability to build partnerships, develop audiences, and secure funding—skills he now applies to nonprofit initiatives.
Beyond the arts, Joel’s expertise extends into technology sales and security compliance, having held leadership roles at Quest Software and Microsoft. He has helped businesses and government agencies navigate complex digital transformations, manage cloud migrations, and secure their data across enterprise platforms. This technical acumen has been invaluable in helping nonprofits leverage technology for operational efficiency and impact.
Building the Future of Winstonville
Returning to his roots, Joel founded WCF to address the pressing needs of Winstonville and surrounding communities. Through strategic initiatives in economic development, education & technology, and community well-being, WCF is laying the groundwork for sustainable change.
Joel is actively recruiting local citizens to form the foundation’s inaugural Board of Directors, ensuring that WCF remains a community-driven organization focused on empowering residents, fostering entrepreneurship, and enhancing quality of life.
A Personal Commitment to Service
Originally from Mississippi, Joel has lived in Michigan, Ohio, California, and Texas, bringing a wealth of diverse experiences to his work. Now based in Hutto, Texas, he is a devoted father, grandfather, and active church member. When he’s not working to advance community initiatives, he enjoys golf, reading, traveling, and spending time with his best friend, Dizzy.
Through Winstonville Community Foundation, Joel is planting the seeds for a brighter future—one built on faith, opportunity, and collective action.