Nonprofit leader reacts to resignation of NHC Endowment CEO

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Less than a year after taking the job, Dan Winslow is stepping down as the president and CEO of the New Hanover County Endowment.

Winslow was introduced last August after a nationwide search and began working in his new position in October.

On Monday, he announced his resignation to focus on personal priorities.

But Harper Peterson, founder of the Heal Our People’s Endowment nonprofit, said Winslow’s resignation shows there are major issues with the Endowment.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Peterson said. “I just didn’t see how he could work with the board, in the makeup of the board. This to me, work here as CEO for less than a year, tells me there’s some pretty dramatic internal strife.”

Sophie Dagenais has been named interim CEO.

She’s spent the last 5 months as Vice President of Programs and Grants.

Despite that, Peterson said he thinks Winslow’s resignation shouldn’t be the only change made regarding the Endowment’s leadership.

“The county needs to ask the sitting board of directors on the Endowment to resign, voluntarily resign. And replace that board with an interim community board, representing the activities, social-economic reality of our community and what our needs are.”

In a statement, Winslow called the decision “difficult”, but said he was proud of the work he had accomplished.