The New Hanover Community Endowment has hired a new leader.

Endowment officials have chosen Dan Winslow as the organization’s next president and CEO. He was selected following a competitive, nationwide process with more than 150 candidates, Shannon Winslow, vice chair of the endowment board, said during a press conference on Monday afternoon. Shannon Winslow and Dan Winslow are not related. 

The approximately $1.3 billion endowment, which was formed from the proceeds of the sale of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020, has been without a permanent leader since the resignation of William Buster, the organization’s inaugural president and CEO, in February. Dan Winslow will start his role with the endowment on Oct. 1.

Endowment board chair Bill Cameron said Dan Winslow met nearly every characteristic and quality the board had looked for in the organization's new president and CEO.

Dan Winslow is a former trial court judge, a former legislator in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and previously served as chief legal counsel to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. 

Since October 2021, Dan Winslow has led the Boston-based New England Legal Foundation (NELF), which aims to champion free enterprise, property rights, limited government based on the rule of law and inclusive economic growth. He also has experience in the private sector, building and managing a global legal team of nearly 70 lawyers and legal professionals for Rimini Street Inc. during the company’s transition from private to public company status, according to a release from the endowment.

“This CEO role is the culmination of all of my life's work to solve problems and to improve people's lives,” he said Monday.

Dan Winslow said he was drawn to the position because of the four pillars of the endowment's mission, which are education, public safety, community development and social and health equity. 

Although he hasn't worked in past philanthropy roles, Dan Winslow said he's been on the receiving end of grants through his nonprofit work. He plans to lean on this experience and the experience of endowment staff as he starts his new role along with listening to the needs and perspectives of the community. 

“I'm a quick study, and I'll commit to do what I need to do," he said. "But mostly it's going to start with good listening, and I need to do a lot of listening, a lot learning and I commit to do that.”

In a social media post on Monday morning, Heal Our People’s Endowment, a nonprofit group that has raised concerns about the endowment, expressed frustration with Winslow’s selection.

“This decision makes it painfully clear that the Wilmington insiders who control the board are trying to close the door on any hope for true transformational change in our community,” the post stated. “Instead of embracing a leader with a proven track record in the charitable and nonprofit sector, someone who understands the unique needs of our community and is committed to equitable and impactful change, they have chosen someone whose resume is sorely lacking.”

Dan Winslow said he plans to take a look at the best practices for community foundations to help shape the organization. He also plans to take a look at potential staffing needs and provide additional visibility into the operations side of the endowment. Dan Winslow said he's open to "constructive criticism” and wants to learn from those who have voiced concerns about the organization.

“I will go anywhere and meet with anyone and listen to problems that they see and ideas to solve," he said, "and after I have learned and listened to these different perspectives, I will then work with the team and with the board to ensure that the New Hanover Community Endowment takes its place as a civic leader in this community to set an agenda for transformative change and meaningful change, and I can’t wait to start.”