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Pardee Hospital Foundation announces new additions to professional team

Two new hires bolster foundation’s capacity in growth and development

Pardee Hospital Foundation recently hired two local professionals to lead resource development efforts on behalf of the organization. Melissa Witmeier will serve the organization as Development Director, overseeing all aspects of giving with a special emphasis on major gifts and capacity building for the future of Pardee UNC Health Care.  Her new counterpart, Sarah Swartz, will support Witmeier with work in the areas of annual giving and special events. 

“I am so excited to fill the Pardee Hospital Foundation bench with these two talented professionals,” said Foundation Executive Director Amy Treece. “Melissa and Sarah bring a wealth of experience, focus and commitment that fuels our mission of advancing community health and well-being through prevention and treatment at Pardee.” 

Witmeier joins Pardee Hospital Foundation after serving for the last year as the executive director at the Henderson County Council on Aging. Prior to that, Witmeier was vice president of grant strategies with the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council in Jacksonville, Florida, increasing grant revenue by over 25 percent during her tenure. Witmeier’s experience also includes five years leading the district office of the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Tallahassee, Florida, where she increased revenue through new annual golf tournaments, events and sponsorships by $1 million.

Sarah Swartz brings over 25 years of health and marketing experience to her new role and is excited to return to Hendersonville after spending a year in Greenville, South Carolina, as studio administrator for Southern Om Hot Yoga. Previously, Sarah managed marketing and communications efforts and the Women United affinity program at United Way of Henderson County from 2019 to 2022.

“Without a doubt, the supporters, staff and patients of Pardee UNC Health Care will benefit from these two new additions to the Foundation team. We are thrilled about the work that we will do together to advance the health of our community,” Treece said.

Andrew Schmidt

Andrew Schmidt joined Pardee Hospital Foundation in November 2023 as a Donor Engagement Officer. Andrew began his career in fundraising at his alma mater, Sewanee: The University of the South, as an assistant director in charge of reunions and volunteers, working on milestone giving campaigns as well as alumni engagement and stewardship events. Andrew holds a BA in Philosophy from Sewanee and recently earned a MA in Applied Arts & Sciences from the Liberal and Interdisciplinary Studies program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Andrew previously served the Henderson Country community as an Advancement Analyst at nearby Kanuga Conference Center, where he was responsible for donor database administration, prospect research, and raising funds in support of a $15M capital campaign centered on a comprehensive renovation of the then-47-year-old Kanuga Lake Inn. Andrew looks forward to helping advance the mission of UNC Health and Pardee Hospital Foundation across the Western North Carolina region, and particularly in Transylvania County. When he’s not out and about visiting with donors, you can usually find Andrew scampering around DuPont and Pisgah with his wife, Sara and preschool-age son, Arthur.