Linda Douglas
Cary,NC
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in volunteer engagement at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and across nonprofit and community agencies. Proven track record in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, enhancing volunteer satisfaction and fostering collaboration. Adept at organizational development, cultivating innovation, and driving impactful initiatives that advance diversity and volunteer involvement.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Director of Volunteer Engagement
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
10.2021 - Current
- Optimize the execution of coordinated programmatic and messaging strategies for UNC's Board of Visitors and Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (ACRED)
- Cultivate a culture of innovation by promoting creative thinking and encouraging staff to take calculated risks in pursuit of solutions.
- Develop strong relationships with key campus partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.
- Provide comprehensive leadership of the Office of Volunteer Engagement including managing the budget and recruiting, hiring, mentoring and evaluating the Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement.
Director of Volunteer Engagement
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2014 - 2021
- Motivated and planned the future of the UNC Board of Visitors and its five committees based on data obtained from research on similar organizations around the country. Worked with BOV volunteers in doing the research. The result was enhanced volunteer satisfaction. The BOV is one of the University’s strongest volunteer groups. The 210 selected volunteers assist the Board of Trustees and Chancellor in activities that advance the University
- Motivated and planned programming related to the Alumni Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity. Giving increased each year for the 70 alumni and friends in the group committed to developing engagement among Carolina’s diverse alumni.
- Welcomed high school students, recommended by University Development constituents, with a tour and a personalized Adobe Express presentation. Planned opportunities fo students students to meet with professors and administrators
- Helped advance the University by assisting with programs such as the Chancellor’s Bus Tour, the Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship committee selection, the Carolina Alumni Black Issues Council and Diversity on Boards and Committees Subcommittee Co-Chair of the OneCarolina Diversity Committee
Director of Community Relations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1998 - 2014
- Developed the UNC Board of Visitors into a highly engaged volunteer organization, including leading a best practices project that looked at other University Boards of Visitors. Also, increased diversity, and member involvement on the Board and after term end
- Energized the UNC Visitors Center, hiring a creative coordinator and staff
- Created opportunities highlighting UNC faculty and staff through the UNC Speakers Bureau and its staff
- Educated new faculty and showcased the work of the University to the state as the lead coordinator of the annual Tar Heel Bus Tour across North Carolina
Assistant to the President for Public Information
North Carolina Community College System
1995 - 1998
- Highlighted the work of the 59 community colleges across the state and its people to the citizens of North Carolina and across the country through communications that included media releases, newsletters, speeches prepared for others and myself
- Co-created a media training program for public relations representatives working in community colleges across the state
- Coordinated with a television sales representative to create a series of media spots that promoted the work of all the community colleges in the ABC-11 television market
Business Reporter
The News & Observer
1992 - 1995
- Built relationships with people in every aspect of retailing to produce breaking news as well as feature stories about the retail business in the Triangle
- Designed the newspaper’s first retailing column, featuring industry news and projections, which quickly moved to the front page of the Business Section and became a first stop on Sunday mornings for shoppers, people with related businesses, and competitors
- Increased the newspaper’s retailing news presence
General Assignment Reporter
The Charlotte Observer
1982 - 1992
- Experienced a range of journalism opportunities including police beat coverage, education reporting, town council reporting, feature stories and community stories.
- Investigative reporting as the beat reporter for PTL, the 2,300-acre complex that attracted almost six million visitors each year
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism, Hussman School of Journalism And Media
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC05-1982
Skills
- Volunteer Engagement and Management
- Organizational development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Vision setting
- Strategic Planning
- Leadership Development
Awards and Recognitions
Honorary Co-Chair of the NC Governor’s Inaugural Ball and personal host to Governor Josh Stein
2025
South Atlantic Region, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Arts & Letters Committee Award
2024
South Atlantic Region, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Advisor of the Year Award
2022
Order of the Golden Fleece, UNC’s oldest and highest honorary society
2020
UNC Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life Advisor of the Year Award
2021, 2019, 2016, 2014
C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award for UNC faculty and staff
2019
Hortense K. McClinton Outstanding Faculty-Staff Award (UNC Black Alumni Reunion)
2018
The Triangle YWCA Academy of Women for outstanding women
2008
The News & Observer Tar Heel of the Week
2008
UNC Board of Visitors Linda Douglas seat naming in Memorial Hall
2007
The News & Observer, “At a Boy” awards for outstanding work
1994 & 1995
N.C. Press Association awards for projects, “The New Homeless” and “Infant Mortality”
1991
NC Public Health Association award for project, “Infant Mortality”
1991
The Charlotte Observer’s Pulitzer Prize-winning PTL staff project (story contributor)
1988
Timeline
Senior Director of Volunteer Engagement
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
10.2021 - Current
Director of Volunteer Engagement
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2014 - 2021
Director of Community Relations
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
1998 - 2014
Assistant to the President for Public Information
North Carolina Community College System
1995 - 1998
Business Reporter
The News & Observer
1992 - 1995
General Assignment Reporter
The Charlotte Observer
1982 - 1992
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism, Hussman School of Journalism And Media
University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
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