Pam Hemminger:
Collaborative and compassionate leadership for the 21st Century
Pam Hemminger, former mayor of Chapel Hill, is an exemplary leader whose dedication and service has left an indelible mark on our town. Serving as mayor from 2015 to 2023, Mayor Hemminger’s tenure was defined by her commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and economic vitality, making her a beloved figure in the Chapel Hill community. Much of our town’s economic growth and vitality in the past decade can be credited in one way or another to Mayor Hemminger.
One of Mayor Hemminger’s most notable accomplishments was her leadership in advancing affordable housing initiatives. Recognizing the growing need for accessible housing in Chapel Hill, she championed the Affordable Housing Plan and the town’s first Affordable Housing Bond for building inclusive and competitive communities, which brought new life to the area while preserving our city’s unique character.
Mayor Hemminger also prioritized environmental sustainability, positioning Chapel Hill as a leader in green initiatives. Under her leadership, the Town of Chapel Hill created and adopted the Climate Action and Response Plan, an ambitious plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and increase the town’s resilience to climate change. She also chaired several advisory boards to support green initiatives, like the Chapel Hill Greenways Commission, the Chapel Hill Parks & Rec Commission, Triangle Land Conservancy, Jordan Lake One Water Association and the Orange/Chatham Sierra Club.
Education and youth engagement were cornerstones of Mayor Hemminger’s vision. A former board member of Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, she worked closely with local schools and organizations to nourish and create opportunities for young people, including the Food for the Summer program, which served 50,000 meals to students in need in just one year alone.
“We had over 650 volunteer spots to fill, and the collaboration was massive across the school system, religious communities, Book Harvest, youth groups and more,” Mayor Hemminger reflects. “It was truly the Chapel Hill Spirit of helping those in need, especially our children.”
Beyond her policy achievements, Mayor Hemminger’s collaborative approach to governance set her apart. She consistently put the needs of the community first, growing and sustaining partnerships with local organizations like the RENA Community Center, which she selected as a beneficiary for this year’s event. Her ability to bring people together around shared goals is a testament to her belief in the power of community.
In the Mayor’s own words: “In today’s world of divisiveness, it is so important to celebrate the people and groups who are bringing folks together to make lasting positive change. Bridge Building brings folks, regardless of backgrounds, together to solve problems and work together for a better future for all. It is an honor to be recognized for being a collaborative leader that helped the community do so much towards a better sustainable future and who worked to reach out in so many ways to include voices that are not always heard from. I am so proud of our community because we care and we take action!”
We hope you will join us in celebrating Mayor Hemminger’s remarkable contributions while investing in the growth of our shared community.
Interested in paying tribute to Mayor Hemminger at the Community Awards Gala? We need your support to make this honor truly special, and we have exciting sponsorship opportunities to do just that.
To read more about the benefits of sponsoring, use this link to download our sponsorship packet. Interested in sponsoring? Click this link to get started.
Marion & Stanley Robboy:
Pillars of Community, Culture, and Jewish Life in the Triangle
Marion Robboy, a retired social worker and lifelong Zionist activist, and Stanley Robboy, Professor Emeritus of Pathology at Duke University and former president of Kehillah Synagogue, have been instrumental in creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for Jewish families and newcomers to the Triangle. They are beloved figures in the Chapel Hill-Duram Jewish community with contributions spanning many decades, reflecting their deep commitment to Jewish education and practice, Israeli heritage, and the arts.
Having grown up in Switzerland during and after World War II, Marion reflects, “My whole childhood was laced with antisemitism. My school, my friends– this defined my childhood. Our work with the Kehillah assures me that there will continue to be a Jewish presence in Chapel Hill. It makes a statement to the community at large that we are here.”
Stan is proud of developing and structuring Kehillah as an organization that supports Jewish families at every life stage. “Our concept of the Kehillah was not just as a synagogue, but an integral part of Chapel Hill and the greater Jewish community. From our preschool to our Jewish graveyard, Kehillah is really from cradle to grave.”
The Robboys’ love for children and their commitment to future generations of Judaism is evident in the many ways they engage with the synagogue. They have been instrumental in the development and growth of our L’Dor V’Dor Society, ensuring that Chapel Hill will continue to have a thriving Jewish community for many decades to come. They have also been longtime supporters of our religious school and preschool, ensuring that children have access to a rich and meaningful Jewish education. Their efforts have helped instill a sense of pride and joy in young Jews, empowering them to carry forward our traditions and values.
The Robboys’ contributions to the arts and culture of the Triangle are equally notable. They have been key supporters of local cultural institutions including (to name just a few!) the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, and the Chelsea Theater in Chapel Hill.
Marion and Stanley Robboy personify love and generosity, and they have a deep commitment to making Chapel Hill a beautiful and meaningful place for Jewish families to thrive. We hope you will join us in honoring them.
Interested in paying tribute to Marion and Stanley at the Community Awards Gala? We need your support to make this honor truly special, and we have exciting sponsorship opportunities to do just that.
To read more about the benefits of sponsoring, use this link to download our sponsorship packet. Interested in sponsoring? Click this link to get started.
