The New Hanover Community Endowment has added two to its programs and grants team as pillar leads: David Stegall as director of education and Mary Vail Ware as director of community safety.

"In these roles, they will partner closely with the community to develop long-term, community-rooted solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing New Hanover County," according to a news release.

Stegall (pictured at right) brings nearly three decades of leadership in education at every level in North Carolina, nationally and internationally.

"His career is defined by turning underperforming schools into top achievers and leading systemic reform through innovation and equity," the release stated.

According to the release, Stegall most recently served as chief of system innovation for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, where he designed and scaled educational frameworks that serve military-connected students around the world. He previously held the role of deputy state superintendent of innovation at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, where he led statewide efforts to advance educational innovation and support local school districts, according to the release.

"As superintendent of Newton-Conover City Schools, Dr. Stegall led a full turnaround of the district," the release stated. "All schools exceeded growth targets. Graduation rates climbed above 95%. The district became one of the top five in the state, year after year."

At the endowment, Stegall will guide strategy and grantmaking across early learning, K–12 outcomes, higher education and workforce readiness.

Ware (pictured at left) brings more than 20 years of experience building partnerships that reduce harm, improve safety and rebuild trust between communities and institutions, according to the release. She most recently served as senior director of justice and victim services at ICF International, managing a $75 million portfolio of national initiatives funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

"Her work helped shape response strategies for gun violence, mass violence incidents and survivor support programs across the country," the release stated. "At the state level, she led innovative campaigns through the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, including the highly successful Respect Richmond campaign, which contributed to a 16% reduction in gun violence."

Earlier in her career, she served as executive cirector of Quin Rivers Agency for Community Action, "where she expanded funding, launched prevention and housing programs, and built cross-sector alliances with tribal nations, local governments and faith communities," according to the release.

At the endowment, Ware will lead a comprehensive community safety strategy that builds on community strengths and promotes youth development and opportunity, the release stated. "She will also help with preparedness and systems coordination."

The more than $1 billion endowment was established from the sale of the county-owned New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2021.