Strong leadership begins with connection, with people coming together to share ideas, spark collaboration, and create opportunity. Across New Hanover County and beyond, The Endowment’s team continues to build those bridges. From Sophie Dagenais’s recent appearance on the Fractional with Chris Capone & Associates podcast to the efforts of our team members statewide, their work reflects a shared commitment to lasting community impact.
Sophie Dagenais on Fractional with Chris Capone & Associates
Sophie Dagenais, Interim President and CEO of The Endowment, recently joined Chris Capone on his Fractional with Chris Capone & Associates podcast to share insights about The Endowment’s mission, impact, and vision for the future.
During their conversation, Sophie discussed the origins of The Endowment, a now $1.7 billion fund created from the 2020 sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health, and how it serves as a transformative force for the community. She explained the distinction between a public charity and a private foundation, offering clarity on what that means for New Hanover County’s long-term growth and sustainability.
Sophie also highlighted the types of initiatives and organizations supported through The Endowment’s grantmaking, from education, social and health equity, and community safety to community development. She shared how, earlier in 2025, The Endowment underwent a strategic refresh to ensure its focus areas continue to align with the most pressing needs of our community, helping guide investments that create meaningful, measurable change in 2026 and beyond.
🎧 Listen to Sophie’s full conversation on Fractional with Chris Capone & Associates or watch, to learn more about The Endowment’s journey, priorities, and impact.
Terri Burhans Represents The Endowment at A Foundation for Housing 2025 Convening
On September 29, 2025, Terri Burhans, Network Officer for Community Development, represented The Endowment as a speaker and panelist at A Foundation for Housing – 2025 Convening, held at Marbles Museum in Raleigh, NC.
The event brought together leaders from philanthropic organizations across North Carolina to explore strategies that strengthen affordable housing efforts statewide. Terri joined a panel highlighting how foundations are supporting housing initiatives, from the mountains to the coast, by sharing data, aligning investments, and collaborating to address systemic challenges.
Hosted by Dogwood Health Trust, Golden LEAF Foundation, SECU Foundation, Self-Help, Triangle Community Foundation, and Wells Fargo, the convening aimed to deepen understanding of housing issues and encourage meaningful knowledge exchange across the philanthropic sector.
David Stegall Selected for ElevateNC Cohort 6
David Stegall, Ed.D., Director of Education, has been selected for Cohort 6 of ElevateNC: Higher Education, hosted by The Hunt Institute.
This leadership program brings together education, workforce, and community leaders from across North Carolina to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in higher education, including expanding access and affordability and improving completion and attainment.
His participation strengthens The Endowment’s efforts to advance educational opportunity and workforce readiness across New Hanover County, ensuring more local students are equipped to reach their goals and contribute to our region’s future success.
