New Hanover Community Endowment Director Michele Holbrook resigns

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — There is another shakeup at the New Hanover Community Endowment.

Michele Holbrook is resigning from the New Hanover Community Endowment.

The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners created the New Hanover Community Endowment from the sale of County-owned assets, including New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health.

Holbrook was appointed by the Novant Health Coastal Region Board in 2020. The New Hanover Community Endowment Board of Directors will operate with 12 members until a new board member is identified.

According to a statement by Endowment Board Chair Bill Cameron:

Holbrook has provided valuable leadership and experience to the NHCE board, serving as the Chair of the Governance committee and a member of the Finance and Grants committees. During Michele’s tenure, the NHCE approved 145 grants, investing more than $70,000,000 over the next two years into our community with a focus on education, equity, community safety and community development.  

Holbrook’s departure is the third departure from the Endowment this year.

In February, Endowment President and CEO William Buster resigned. The next month, board member and former county commissioner Pat Kusek resigned from the Board of Directors.