NEW HANOVER COUNTY — One day after the vice president of programs and operations of the $1.25-billion New Hanover Community Endowment announced her resignation, the communications director also is stepping down.
READ MORE: Founding executive resigns from NHC Endowment
Kevin Maurer, an investigative journalist who has done work for Port City Daily and other local and national outlets (StarNews, WHQR, Rolling Stone, Associated Press, Washington Post), confirmed to PCD his exit.
“I’ve decided to leave NHCE to pursue other opportunities,” he wrote to PCD. “I am proud of the work we accomplished and wish NHCE nothing but success in the future.”
Maurer, who is pursuing upcoming journalistic projects, recently won the NC Press Association Award for “TikTok’s Prince of Poverty,” published by The Assembly, with PCD former assistant editor Johanna Still. He also has authored 13 books, including “No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama Bin Laden.”
Maurer took the communications director position in 2023; that December the endowment executed $53 million in grants, both one-year and multi-year strategic funds.
This year the endowment has committed more than $30 million so far, to include funding affordable housing initiatives, addressing student aid, arts and disaster preparedness, and providing money to a co-op grocery store coming to the Northside of downtown Wilmington.
Maurer oversaw the endowment’s messaging on grants, answered media questions and helped devise communication strategies. He kept the public abreast of changes at the organization, which in 2024 were plenty.
The endowment’s CEO, William Buster, abruptly left in February, followed by board members Pat Kusek in March and Michele Holbrook in May. The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners appointed Mary Lyons Rouse, a development director for Cape Fear Academy, and former Wrightsville Beach Mayor Bill Blair to replace the two resignations.
The board of director changes were made as the endowment was on the hunt for a new president to replace Buster. It announced in August that former politician, lawyer and nonprofit leader Dan Winslow, from Massachusetts, would start the position Oct. 1.
Just on Monday, Sept. 23, vice president of programs and operations, Lakesha McDay, announced she would step down from the endowment as well. Though, McDay agreed to consult with the endowment during Winslow’s transition.
Winslow told media in August he hoped to build with staff in coming months “maximum efficiency, maximum impact … running with all cylinders firing.” Seemingly, some of his first duties will be filling these vacancies.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
Tips or comments? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
