Mignon Durham, well known advocate and collector of contemporary American craft and a highly regarded community activist, has been named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

“Ms. Durham’s deep knowledge of craft practitioners and collectors, her passionate interest in addressing environmental issues confronting Western North Carolina, and her strong history of community involvement make her ideally suited to assist UNC Asheville in meeting its requirements for private support in the coming decade,” according to William P. Massey, UNC Asheville Vice Chancellor for Alumni & Development.

Durham served most recently as interim executive director of the Spruce Pine Community Hospital Foundation where she led annual fundraising and secured startup grants for community projects.  Previously, she was a founder of Elan Craft Services, a design service for architects and art collectors, and Management Decisions, Inc., providing computer consulting services specializing in risk analysis software. 

A graduate of Duke University, Durham recently created the Toe River Valley Watch (TRVW), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing the Toe River Valley community together to address local environmental and economic challenges.  Durham and TRVW were featured in the April 2007 issue of Our State magazine.  Among the several boards she has been a member of are the Foundation for Mitchell County, Spruce Pine Community Hospital Foundation, HandMade in America, Penland School of Crafts, Piedmont Triad Symphony and the Piedmont Craftsmen Association.