WILMINGTON, N.C. The Endowment today announced the appointment of seven new members to its Community Advisory Council. The 18-member Community Advisory Council (CAC) serves as a link between The Endowment and the New Hanover community. CAC members are appointed by The Endowment Board and serve three-year terms. The new members’ term began June 1, 2026, and will expire June 1, 2029.
The CAC is made up of volunteers who bring experience from across education, health, public safety, social equity, and community development. Members provide insights on local needs, emerging challenges, and opportunities to help guide The Endowment’s work.
“The Community Advisory Council is an invaluable sounding board for us. The Endowment’s Board of Directors has selected seven New Hanover County residents to fill the current openings from a highly qualified pool of applicants,” said Shannon Winslow, Board Chair. “The CAC keeps our work grounded, authentic, and relatable, ensuring that our 18-member body represents a cross-section of New Hanover County to provide the connections and insight we need.”
The newly appointed Community Advisory Council members are:
- Roberto Ramirez (Social and Health Equity) – Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Coastal Horizons, New Hanover County Health and Human Services Board.
- Lindy Ford (Social and Health Equity) – Registered Dietitian/Clinical Nutritionist,, New Hanover Women’s Commission.
- Dr. Rob Morgan (Education) – Assistant Superintendent of Operations, New Hanover County Schools.
- Rebekah Garcia (Community Safety) – Regional Managing Attorney, Legal Aid of North Carolina (Wilmington).
- Carson Porter (Community Safety) – President and Executive Director, Wilmington Hammerheads Youth Soccer.
- Megan Mullins (Community Development) – Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, with board service for the Historic Wilmington Foundation and Cape Fear Volunteer Center.
- Frances “Perry” Chappell (Community Development) – Business Management and Development Consultant at The Blair Group, and Member of the UNCW Board of Trustees.
The Endowment also recognizes and thanks seven outgoing members who are completing their terms this month: Kent Locklear, Joe Finley, Gustavo Rodea, Susie Sewell, Frankie Roberts, Abdul Hafeedh bin Abdullah, and Angie Hill.
“We were fortunate to receive an exceptionally strong and diverse pool of candidates for consideration, bringing deep experience within and across our core pillars,” said Sophie Dagenais, President and CEO of The Endowment. “We have actively engaged and activated the Community Advisory Council in our strategic work and look forward to incorporating new member perspectives as we translate our strategy into tangible action. We sincerely thank our outgoing members Kent Locklear, Joe Finley, Gustavo Rodea, Susie Sewell, Frankie Roberts, Abdul Hafeedh bin Abdullah, and Angie Hill for their years of dedicated service and leadership to The Endowment and our community at large.”
“Community Advisory Council members are selected through an open recruitment process designed to reflect a balanced representation of perspectives across sectors and lived experiences of the residents of New Hanover County,” said Tyler Newman, VP External Affairs. “The Endowment’s annual appointment process begins in the spring. Anyone interested in serving on the Community Advisory Council in the future should be in touch, as recruitment takes place annually and we welcome broad community participation.”
About The Endowment
The Endowment’s mission is to improve the health, education, safety, and economic opportunity of every person in New Hanover County.
For more about The Endowment and to stay informed about upcoming grant opportunities, visit www.theendowment.org.
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