Meet our New Vice President, Development and Donor Services

This month we welcome Sheila Virgil to our staff as our new Vice President, Development and Donor Services. Sheila will provide strategic vision and direction to all aspects of the Foundation’s work to engage charitable individuals, families, and organizations and connect them to opportunities to strengthen Forsyth County.

“We are thrilled to have Sheila joining our team,” said Foundation President LaTida Smith.  “Her strengths in relationship building, collaboration, and leading effective teams, plus her commitment to racial equity and inclusion, were a perfect match for this critical role in our organization.”

Sheila has extensive experience in leading development programs in higher education and for other nonprofits, most recently at Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity, and previously at the Winston-Salem Symphony, Opera Omaha, the Omaha Performing Arts Society, and the Cleveland Orchestra.  

Sheila is the immediate past chair of the Robinhood YMCA Board of Managers and plays flute in the Winston-Salem Civic Orchestra.  She has also served on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Alumni Association of St. Johns College. Sheila attained her Master of Non-Profit Organizations from Case Western Reserve University and her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College (Annapolis).

Departmental Changes

Sheila will lead the Foundation’s recently renamed Development and Donor Services department, a team of 10 staff supporting Foundation fundholders and donors.  Former Vice President, Advancement Annette Lynch has shifted into a new role as Gift Planning Officer as she anticipates retiring from the Foundation in 2023.  Former Executive Assistant Leila Warren joins the team to serve as Donor Services Coordinator.

To review a full departmental staff listing, visit our staff page and scroll to Development and Donor Services.