Golden LEAF Vice President/Chief of Staff Kasey Ginsberg’s last day with the Foundation was on August 7th. Ginsberg began her new role as Director of State Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on August 10th.
Ginsberg joined Golden LEAF in 2017 as a Program Officer and has served in several roles for the Foundation, including Director of Programs – Disaster Recovery and Director of External Affairs, before her most recent role of Vice President/Chief of Staff. As Vice President/Chief of Staff, she worked closely with the President, Board of Directors, and staff to advance the Foundation’s strategic priorities while strengthening organizational operations.
“Kasey earned the respect of the Board through her professionalism, thoughtful counsel, and unwavering commitment to Golden LEAF’s mission,” said Golden LEAF Board Chair Brian Raynor. “She consistently approached her work with careful preparation, strategic thinking, and a focus on achieving meaningful results for North Carolina. Her work has helped strengthen the Foundation and positioned it for continued success. We thank her for her service and wish her all the best as she begins this exciting new opportunity.”
During her tenure, Ginsberg played a leading role in the development and administration of programs supported through state appropriations and new Golden LEAF programs and initiatives, overseeing over 430 projects, in addition to her work on the Golden LEAF Scholarship program. She also cultivated strong relationships with legislative leaders and statewide partners, helping advance initiatives that aligned with the Foundation’s mission. Her direct impact through funding programs and initiatives reached 77 out of 100 counties.
“Kasey’s knowledge of our programs and her ability to navigate complex state appropriated funding opportunities have been invaluable to the Programs Committee,” said Golden LEAF Programs Committee Chair Ralph Strayhorn. “She played a leading role in developing and administering programs and initiatives that were managed responsibly and strategically. Her ability to see both the big picture and the operational details has made a lasting difference for the Foundation and the communities we serve.”
Beyond program leadership, Ginsberg led efforts to improve internal operations by implementing systems and processes that increased organizational efficiency, strengthened project management, and enhanced collaboration across the Foundation.
“Kasey’s impact on the Foundation extends far beyond the programs she managed,” said Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton. “She helped shape the Foundation’s strategic direction, strengthened relationships with state leaders and partners, and developed systems that have made our organization more effective and efficient. Her leadership was instrumental in the successful administration of state-funded programs and special initiatives that will create long-term benefits for communities across North Carolina. While we will certainly miss her insight and dedication, we are grateful for her many contributions and wish her continued success in this next chapter.”
As Chief of Staff, Ginsberg served as a strategic advisor and operational leader.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Kasey for nine years and have seen firsthand her exceptional judgment, work ethic, and commitment to excellence,” said Golden LEAF Senior Vice President/General Counsel Ted Lord. “She has a unique ability to combine strategic vision with practical execution, whether building internal processes, strengthening relationships with local and statewide leaders, or helping guide complex initiatives from concept to implementation. Her contributions have played an instrumental role in Golden LEAF’s growth, and while we will miss her as a colleague, I know she will have a significant impact in her new role.”
As Golden LEAF navigates its leadership transition and conducts a search for its next President and Chief Executive Officer, the Foundation is assessing its leadership structure and organizational needs. During this transition, Ginsberg’s essential responsibilities have been redistributed among existing staff, and no additional hires are currently planned during the transition period.