Paula Benson is Chief Executive Officer of the Healthcare Foundation of Wilson, where she leads grantmaking and community investments focused on improving health and wellness across Eastern North Carolina.
She previously served as Executive Director of Wilson Forward, leading cross-sector partnerships that drove measurable improvements in health, education, and workforce development. Over the past two decades, Benson has been a sought-after leader on local, regional, and statewide initiatives addressing some of North Carolina’s most pressing economic and community challenges.
Benson earned degrees in accounting and economics at Meredith College and began her career as a Certified Public Accountant at EY in Raleigh before joining SAS Institute. She currently serves on the boards of the NC Rural Center, the NC Community Colleges Foundation, and Diversified Opportunities of Wilson, bringing financial discipline and rural workforce insight to the Board.
- Vice Chair of Accountability and Audit Committee
- Vice-Chair of Finance Committee