Kyle Gray brings 26 years of experience in higher education development, marketing, communications
SMITHFIELD – The Johnston Health Foundation has announced that Kyle Gray is its new director. His first day was September 6.
In his new role, Gray is responsible for leading all aspects of the foundation, including fundraising and revenue generation, financial stewardship, organizational and programmatic leadership, community engagement, and strategic growth and operational goals.
“As we expand our services and community outreach, the foundation is becoming an increasingly valuable partner in helping our organization meet its mission and the needs of our growing region,” says Tom Williams, CEO and President of UNC Health Johnston. “We are delighted to have Kyle at the helm.”
Gray brings 26 years of experience in higher education development, marketing and communications. During his recent five-year tenure at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, he raised $32 million to advance the school’s mission.
Previously at the UNC School of Medicine from 2006 to 2017, Gray demonstrated the ability to increase development activity by tripling the Department of Health Sciences’ donor base and increasing cumulative donations to more than $12 million.
“We are excited to welcome Kyle to our team,” says April Culver, Vice President of External Affairs at UNC Health Johnston. “He brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at UNC. He has a passion for health care and the community setting and the ability to take our foundation to the next level.”
From 2001 to 2005, Gray served as the assistant dean for development and communications at UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Government, where he launched and managed the Friends of the Institute of Government Program to increase public and private financial support for the school.
Gray holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a batcher’s degree in political science from The Colorado College.
He and his wife, Liz, live in Carrboro and have four children: Aedin, Allegra, Harper and Hunter. In his free time, he enjoys fly-fishing, hiking and biking.
About Johnston Health Foundation
Johnston Health Foundation seeks to improve the health and well-being of the people in our communities by supporting the patients, programs and services of UNC Health Johnston. In the early 1980s, a group of community members and physicians launched the Dr. Hubert Poteat Golf Tournament to honor the first surgeon recruited to then-Johnston Memorial Hospital. The event was one of the first official fundraisers for the hospital, and it set the course for establishing the foundation in 1992. Since then, the foundation has raised millions of dollars and is a philanthropic leader and a catalyst for collaborations that result in equitable access to care. The foundation is led by a board of directors actively engaged in the organization’s mission by providing meaningful opportunities to give of one’s time, talent and treasure.
About UNC Health Johnston
UNC Health Johnston has been Johnston County’s primary health care system since 1951. Based in Smithfield, N.C., with a second location in Clayton, N.C., the hospital is an integral part of the county’s growth and development. UNC Health Johnston is committed to its community, focused on top-notch health care, and invested in well-being. Its core purpose is to provide quality, expert care to every patient who walks through its doors. As part of the UNC Health system, UNC Health Johnston holds itself to the highest standards of quality and excellence, and is committed to bringing expert care close to home for its community.
