North Carolina Community Foundation Board of Directors elects John Willingham as Chair; adds two new board members
The Board of Directors of the North Carolina Community Foundation has elected John Willingham as its 11th chair, succeeding Katharine “Kack” Harrison Hardin who has served as chair since 2023.
Willingham, a member of the board since 2016, previously served as the board’s vice chair and grants committee chair.
Willingham is the president of Indera Mills, a division of Intradeco Apparel Inc. that is the largest producer of thermal underwear in the United States. A fourth-generation leader of the company, Willingham is a graduate of Yale University and has a strong history of civic involvement, including serving on the board of the Yadkin County Community Foundation, an NCCF affiliate.
Willingham helped organize the North Carolina Arts Foundation and served as president for nine years and recently concluded his tenure as board chair of the Arbor Acres retirement community. He continues to serve on several boards, including the Surry Community College Foundation, the North Carolina Arts Council, and the Tourism and Development Authority of Yadkinville. He was instrumental in the creation of the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center, which has become a cornerstone of downtown revitalization in Yadkinville.
“It is a privilege to assume this role and I look forward to working alongside the board and NCCF’s dedicated team to continue to expand our impact,” said Willingham. “Kack has led NCCF to new heights, and I am excited about the opportunity to continue this work in support of the rural communities we serve.”
Hardin, a Rocky Mount native, served as chair during a period of significant growth for NCCF. She played a crucial role in advancing NCCF’s mission to support North Carolina’s rural communities while the foundation also activated its Disaster Relief Fund for western NC following Hurricane Helene.
Following a career as a congressional staff member and a vice president/secretary of NationsBank (now Bank of America) in the Foundation and Endowment Trust Group, Hardin is currently the office administrator for James C. Hardin III, PLLC.
Chair, Board of Directors, 2024
“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at NCCF over the past two years, and John will continue to steer NCCF toward even greater success,” said Hardin. “His passion for community service and his leadership experience makes him the perfect fit for this role.”
Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, President & CEO of NCCF, also expressed her gratitude for Hardin’s leadership. “Kack has been a steadfast leader, and her dedication to advancing our mission has been a key component of our success. We are excited to welcome John as our new chair and look forward to his leadership in the next chapter of NCCF’s growth.”
The Board also welcomed two new members at large: Bob Kornegay and Caryn McNeill.
Kornegay, a Mount Olive native, has been the manager of member services at Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation since 2001 overseeing the service department, key accounts and economic development. He is also the co-owner, secretary and treasurer of Kornegay Brothers Inc., a farming operation in partnership with Murphy Family Farms LLC.
Kornegay serves as a board member and former president of the Duplin County Community Foundation, an NCCF affiliate. He is currently the chair of the Wayne County Development Alliance and vice chair of the University of Mount Olive Board of Trustees. A past president of the North Carolina Plant Food Association, Kornegay has previously served on boards for the Duplin County Board of Commissioners, James Sprunt Community College Board of Trustees, North Carolina Global TransPark Commission, Duplin County Education Foundation, and Duplin County Partnership for Children (Smart Start).
Kornegay holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Management and Organizational Development from the University of Mount Olive as well as an associate’s degree from NC State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Agricultural Institute.
McNeill, a partner with Smith Anderson in Raleigh, leads the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation law group and has been with the firm since 1991. She advises public and private companies on designing and implementing employee benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements. A past president of the North Carolina Bar Association, McNeill is also a former board chair of Ravenscroft School, an elected member of The American Law Institute, a member of Smith Anderson’s Management Committee.
McNeill, of Raleigh, holds an undergraduate degree from Davidson College in English and a law degree from Duke University.
About the North Carolina Community Foundation
The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities.
With $460 million in assets, NCCF sustains nearly 1,300 endowments and partners with donors and a network of affiliates in 60 counties to strengthen our state. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, NCCF makes a powerful impact through a robust grants and scholarships program, awarding over $300 million since 1988. For more information, visit nccommunityfoundation.org.