Meade Horton Van Pelt

State Auditor Dave Boliek recently presented the Cardinal Award to Meade Horton Van Pelt, executive director of the Harrelson Center. 

According to a news release, the award recognizes exceptional North Carolinians who advance government transparency, improve efficiency and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The award was presented to Van Pelt on March 17 at a roundtable hosted by the auditor's office at the New Hanover County Government Center.

“The Cardinal Award honors individuals who exemplify integrity, efficiency and service to North Carolina. Ms. Van Pelt embodies these values every day through her leadership, her stewardship of resources and her deep dedication to her community. Her work at the Harrelson Center has shown how thoughtful coordination and accountable leadership can build resilience and strengthen public trust,” Boliek said.

Van Pelt has been the executive director of the Harrelson Center, a nonprofit campus in Wilmington, since December 2016, the release stated.

"In that role, she has completed the transformation of the campus for humanitarian work, enhanced the referral network and collaboration among humanitarian nonprofits, and established program service protocols, growth, and sustainability," according to the release.

Van Pelt has been recognized three times in the WilmingtonBiz 100 as a connector. She also received the Dogwood Award from the state attorney general after Hurricane Florence in 2018 and the Service Before Self award from the local district attorney in 2019. Meade is a Wilmington native who received her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill and earned an MBA from UNCW.