Wilmington native, Elizabeth Barfield, was always drawn to bringing awareness and helping form solutions for the disparities in her community. Following her graduation from UNC Chapel Hill in 2013, she returned to her hometown and got to work serving her community as the Education Specialist in the Health Equity Department at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, a role that gives her an up-close look at the issues she is working to conquer.
“Part of the reason I joined the board of young professionals was because they are closely aligned with the ideals I hold in regards to what it looks like to design and foster a thriving community.”
An active member of the community, Elizabeth is a small group leader at her church, a part of Be The Bridge: Wilmington, a group that works to create a space for healthy dialogue about race, a StepUp Wilmington program volunteer, and more.

On why she chooses to support SUW, she shared, “The mission of StepUp is carried out every day through the way they invest in people looking for better opportunities.” Elizabeth continues, “The stories I have heard from various participants and the light in their eyes says it all. I have seen just how impactful the relationship’s built in the programs are and how they alter the course of someone’s life.”
During her time on the board, Elizabeth hopes to elevate the voices of those who feel overlooked and engage as many people as possible in order to spread the mission of StepUp Wilmington.
We’re so excited to have Elizabeth join us in our mission and can’t wait to see what she, and the rest of BYP, accomplish as we head into our next fiscal year.