Endowment promotes education director to lead programs, grants

July 10, 2026 - 02:23

The New Hanover Community Endowment has promoted David Stegall to the position of vice president of programs and grants, effective immediately.

Stegall previously served as the endowment's director of education and community development. The promotion comes after a national search for the role, which began in April.

Sophie Dagenais, president and CEO of the endowment, said in a statement that the best candidate was already working within the organization. She praised Stegall's leadership, judgment, and commitment to the endowment's mission.

Before joining the endowment last year, Stegall worked as chief of system innovation for the Department of Defense Education Activity. He also served as deputy state superintendent of innovation at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

In his new role, Stegall will work with Dagenais, the board of directors, the Community Advisory Council, staff, and partners. The goal is to advance long-term solutions for the most pressing challenges in New Hanover County.

Stegall said he is honored to take on the new role and looks forward to building on the foundation the endowment has established. He will continue to lead education and community development initiatives while serving as vice president, with support from Dagenais.

The endowment was created from the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health, a deal that closed in 2021. The endowment is valued at $1.7 billion and has committed $310 million in grants since its creation.