Doug and Sue Henderson receive Giannini Society Award
Doug and Sue Henderson of Winston-Salem are the recipients of the 2016 Giannini Society Award, one of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). The award was presented during University Commencement on May 7 in the Stevens Center.
The Giannini Society was established in 1989 and was named in honor of Vittorio Giannini, a founder and
the first president of the School of the Arts. It is a group of dedicated ambassadors
who seek to provide support for the training of UNCSA students.
The award is given annually to members of the society in recognition of their service and support. Previous recipients include founders, board members, alumni, volunteers and former chancellors and faculty members.
“We’re incredibly fortunate and grateful to have Doug and Sue Henderson as friends, supporters and advocates,” said Chancellor Lindsay Bierman. “We’re proud and excited to honor them for their extraordinary allegiance to the School of the Arts.”
Chief Advancement Officer Edward Lewis said the Hendersons have been passionate supporters of the School of the Arts for more than 20 years, and have been members of the Giannini Society since 2001. “Doug and Sue have graciously opened their home many times to introduce the school to new audiences,” he said. “Most recently they hosted the Prelude party for our scholarship fundraiser NextNow.
“We are profoundly appreciative of their ongoing support,” Lewis said.
The Hendersons also co-chaired the 50th Anniversary Guys and Dolls gala fundraiser in 2015 and the Design and Production Costume Shop fundraiser several years ago. They are founding members of the Dance Dean’s Council, which served as a model for deans’ councils in UNCSA’s other arts schools. They are members of the Board of Visitors and have both served on the UNCSA Foundation Advisory Board. Doug Henderson currently chairs the Advancement Committee of the Foundation Advisory Board.
In addition to their service to UNCSA, they have chaired the Winterlark gala, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s annual fundraiser for the Cancer Patient Support Program.
Sue Henderson serves on the Board of Trustees for Winston-Salem State University, the Board of Directors of the Winston-Salem Symphony, the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, and the Brevard Music Center. She is on the Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University Divinity School.
She is the regional managing director in the Triad West Region of Wells Fargo Private Bank, where she oversees private banking, investment management, credit and trust and estate services for the greater Triad region and Western North Carolina region. She has been with Wells Fargo and its predecessor for more than 27 years. She earned her degree in finance from the University of Georgia. She is a Certified Financial Planner certificant and holds several securities licenses. She was born and raised in Savannah, Ga.
Doug Henderson was born in Pittsburgh, but grew up in Atlanta. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in finance. He has spent more than 30 years in senior management sales and marketing roles within the home furnishings industry and is currently vice president of sales for Dorrell Fabrics, an importer of upholstery fabrics. He is a past president of International Textile Manufacturing Association, an industry trade organization.
The Hendersons met in college and have two daughters. They enjoy the arts, cooking, travel and spending time with their family.
May 23, 2016