Shannon Winslow and Bill Blair to Lead The Endowment Board in 2026
Wilmington, N.C. The Endowment is pleased to announce the reappointment of Shannon Winslow as Chair of the Board of Directors and the appointment of William “Bill” Blair as Vice Chair, effective January 1, 2026. Both leaders are current board members with strong ties and records of service to New Hanover County.
Winslow has served on The Endowment’s Board of Directors since inception and has held the role of Board Chair since January 1, 2025, following her service as Vice Chair. A Wilmington native, her leadership is grounded in a lifelong commitment to the community. Winslow is Director of Strategic Accounts at WebMD Health Services, where she partners with Fortune 100 companies to develop and implement global health and well-being strategies. In 2025, under her tenure, The Endowment committed more than $59 million in new grants, bringing total investments in New Hanover County to more than $177 million.
Blair will assume the role of Vice Chair on January 1, 2026, succeeding Chris Boney. He has served on The Endowment’s Board of Directors since September 2024, and as Chair of its Grants Committee since January 1, 2025. A resident of New Hanover County for more than 40 years, Blair brings extensive cross-sector experience in business and government. Blair is President of Blair-Squire Management LLC. He was Mayor of Wrightsville Beach from 2013 to 2019, where he led initiatives to strengthen infrastructure and enhance community well-being.
“I am honored to serve as Vice Chair of The Endowment’s Board,” Blair said. “The Endowment plays a vital role in supporting the long-term health and prosperity of New Hanover County. I look forward to working alongside Shannon, my fellow board members, and the Endowment team to continue building on this important work.”
“We are honored to welcome Bill Blair as Vice Chair of The Endowment’s Board,” Winslow said. “Bill brings decades of leadership experience, a deep understanding of our community, and a strong commitment to public service. I also thank Chris Boney for his leadership as Vice Chair, His insights, dedication, and thoughtful guidance have been invaluable to our Board, the Endowment team, and the New Hanover County community.”
Boney has served as Vice Chair since January 1, 2025, and has been a member of The Endowment’s Board of Directors since inception. Boney, who will continue to serve on the Board, is Chief Relationships Officer at LS3P, an architecture, interiors, and planning firm.
“I thank Shannon and Chris for their leadership and steady guidance during an important period for The Endowment,” said Sophie Dagenais, Interim President and CEO of The Endowment. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with Shannon and am also pleased to welcome Bill Blair into the Vice Chair role. Bill’s leadership as Chair of our Grants Committee this year was instrumental to our progress. Our team is excited to work with Shannon and Bill, and our entire Board of Directors, in support of our mission and the community we have been called to serve.”
The Endowment’s Board of Directors is composed of 13 volunteer members. Five members are appointed by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, six by the Novant Health Coastal Region Board, and two are selected by the Board of Directors.
About The Endowment
The Endowment’s mission is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in New Hanover County. The Endowment was established from the sale of the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020. The initial fund has grown from nearly $1.3 billion to more than $1.7 billion, allowing The Endowment to award millions in grants to our community every year, in perpetuity.
To stay informed about upcoming grant opportunities, news, and community events, follow The Endowment on social media or subscribe to the newsletter at www.theendowment.org.
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