Interview conducted by Christina Yongue
As Cone Health Foundation prepares for a leadership transition, I had the privilege of sitting down with our outgoing President, Susan Shumaker, to reflect on her 16 years at the Foundation and more than four decades in the health system. This conversation is both a celebration and reflection on what’s ahead, shared with the Greensboro community that has been central to her work.
Christina Yongue: Susan, when you reflect on your career—particularly your work at Cone Health Foundation—what is one accomplishment you are most proud of?
Susan Shumaker: Let me first say that nothing we have done at the Foundation has been the work of one person. It truly takes a village—our staff, our board, and a network of outstanding partners across this community and state.
That said, our decade‑long commitment to expanding Medicaid in North Carolina stands out as a defining effort. We began supporting the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion at a time when even saying the words felt taboo. The issue had become politicized, and taking a public stance required courage. But our board recognized early on that expanding Medicaid would be a game changer for expanding access and quality of health care.
So we commissioned research, invested alongside other funders, and supported two major coalitions—Care4Carolina and the Health Advocacy Project. Cone Health Foundation was the first foundation funder of Care4Carolina, and I served on the steering committee for 10 years. We leveraged our relationships with other funders and stakeholders across the state to gain support and funding for expansion efforts. Watching Medicaid expansion finally pass—and seeing over 720,000 North Carolinians, including 46,000 in Guilford County, gain coverage—is profoundly meaningful.
Over the years, we also had opportunities to share our advocacy journey at regional and national conferences and in numerous publications. But honestly, the real accomplishment is knowing families now have access to lifesaving care. That’s what matters most.
“It takes a village to do this work—our staff, our board, and our community partners. Nothing was done alone.”
Christina Yongue: Was there a moment that shifted the direction of your career or changed the way you understood this work?
Susan Shumaker: It wasn’t one moment but a series of learning experiences that reshaped how I think about equity and systems change. Participating in the Racial Equity Institute trainings, “Other Voices” through the Chamber of Commerce, and ongoing education with our staff and board opened my eyes to how deeply structural racism shapes health outcomes in this country.
That learning pushed me to look beyond healthcare access alone. Access is essential—but if we ignore food insecurity, housing instability, and other social drivers of health, we simply can’t eliminate inequities. That understanding has become foundational to how our team approaches grantmaking.
It was both humbling and transformative and I’m grateful for it.
“Access to care is the first door. But if we don’t address food insecurity, housing, and the other social drivers of health, we can’t eliminate health inequities.”
Christina Yongue: Over the course of your career, you’ve collaborated with staff, board, grant partners, and other institutional partners. Can you talk about some of the relationships that stand out to you?
Susan Shumaker: First, I am so proud of how our own team and board have evolved. Today, our staff largely reflects the community in both lived experience and diversity of perspectives. Our board does as well. This has been intentional and is essential for community‑informed grantmaking.
And I am grateful that in 2021 our Board shifted to impact investing where our investment portfolio is 100% values‑aligned, generating positive social and financial returns. This allows CHF to leverage the other 95% of our capital to multiply our impact, in addition to our grantmaking.
One partnership I’m especially proud of is our early support of NC Health News. They have become such an important source of credible, nonpartisan health journalism in North Carolina. We made our first small grant to them in 2014—small, compared to our support today—but it helped them build momentum and attract additional funding at a time when few foundations were funding journalism. Their reporting has been instrumental in telling the stories of people caught in the Medicaid coverage gap, shining light on mental health issues, and lifting up public health challenges that affect us all.
I admire Rose Hoban, their founding editor, tremendously. Her email signature used to say, “If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.” That has always stayed with me.
Christina Yongue: You’ve spent decades in leadership roles. As you approach your first “official” day of retirement, what do you hope that day will look like?
Susan Shumaker: Honestly, I hope it looks like unplugging—maybe literally. Email has been a constant companion for as long as I can remember. I’m not good at detaching from work even when I’m off, so stepping away will be refreshing.
My husband recently retired and we’re excited to have more time together. I’m looking forward to a slower pace, even if that will take some getting used to.
Christina Yongue: Do you have a retirement bucketlist?
Susan Shumaker: I do! I want to play more golf and pickleball—I’ve already joined a pickleball team, and I’ll be golfing several times a week with friends. Learning how to relax is probably the biggest challenge on my list. I may try reading an actual book instead of only listening to one in the car.
I love the beach and I’m eager to spend more time with my husband, our kids, and grandson. Eventually, I’m sure I will volunteer in selective ways. But first, I’m looking forward to true downtime.
“Learning how to relax may be the biggest challenge on my list!”
Christina Yongue: As you close this chapter, do you have any final reflections to share with the Greensboro community?
Susan Shumaker: To our staff, our board, and this wonderful community—you are in excellent hands. Cone Health Foundation has a strong, talented, deeply committed team. I have complete confidence that the work will continue seamlessly. A new leader will bring fresh eyes and new energy and that is a very good thing.
I’m proud of all we have accomplished together and I will be cheering you on from the sidelines. Greensboro is a special community and it has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to serve in this role.
Closing Thoughts from Christina
Interviewing Susan reminded me of the intentional leadership, steady guidance, and deep community commitment she has brought to Cone Health Foundation. She has not only shaped programs and investments—she has shaped people, relationships, and possibilities for Greensboro.
Our community thanks you, Susan, for your vision, your courage, and your unwavering belief that better health is possible for all.
We wish you rest, joy, time with family, and plenty of sunshine on the golf course.
