The Endowment announces 2026 board leadership
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Endowment has announced its board leadership for 2026, reappointing Shannon Winslow as chair and naming Bill Blair as vice chair, effective Jan. 1.
Both Winslow and Blair are current board members.
Winslow has served on The Endowment’s board since its inception and has been chair since January 2025, after previously serving as vice chair. A Wilmington native, she works as director of strategic accounts at WebMD Health Services, partnering with Fortune 100 companies on global health and well-being strategies.
During Winslow’s tenure in 2025, The Endowment committed more than $59 million in new grants, bringing its total investment in New Hanover County to more than $177 million.
Blair will step into the vice chair role in 2026, succeeding Chris Boney. Blair joined the board in September 2024 and has served as chair of the Grants Committee since January 2025. A New Hanover County resident for more than 40 years, Blair is president of Blair-Squire Management LLC and previously served as mayor of Wrightsville Beach from 2013 to 2019, where he focused on infrastructure improvements and community initiatives.
“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.”
Sophie Dagenais, interim president and CEO of The Endowment, praised the leadership transition, noting Blair’s work as grants committee chair and Winslow’s continued leadership.
The Endowment’s Board of Directors includes 13 volunteer members. Five 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 itself.
