Dr. David Stegall

As Director of Education and Community Development at The Endowment, David Stegall, Ph.D. leads the organization’s education strategy to advance equitable outcomes from early learning through workforce development. He oversees grantmaking and partnerships that support students, schools, and community organizations, helping ensure every learner in New Hanover County has the resources and opportunities to succeed.

A seasoned education leader with over 28 years of experience, David has served in executive roles at the local, state, national, and international levels. Most recently, he was Chief of System Innovation at the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), where he advanced new models of learning and collaboration across global school systems.

Prior to DoDEA, David served as Deputy State Superintendent of Innovation and Chief Academic Officer at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, supporting 1.6 million students across 115 school districts. He also served as Vice President for Global Education at GEMS Education, the world’s largest K–12 school operator, overseeing schools across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.

David spent 11 years at Newton-Conover City Schools, including 5.5 years as superintendent. Under his leadership, the district transformed from a low-performing system into one where 100% of schools met or exceeded state growth targets. He led the creation of a national award-winning STEM school, a Leader in Me school, a dual-language school, and a state-recognized personalized learning model. The district ranked among the top five in North Carolina for graduation rates, exceeding 95% for five consecutive years.

David’s leadership has been recognized statewide and nationally, including being named Northwest North Carolina Superintendent of the Year (2017), a national Superintendent to Watch (2016), North Carolina’s Outstanding Young Educator (2012), and recipient of the Champion for Children Award (2021). A lifelong North Carolinian who resides in the Wilmington area, David brings a deep commitment to educational innovation, equity, and student-centered success.