Joe Conway

A Little About Joe

Joseph “Joe” Conway is the Founder & Chief DEI Investor for A.B.I.D.E., LLC, a business consulting firm dedicated to and focused on bias mitigation in professionals and organizations. Before starting A.B.I.D.E in March 2022, he was employed with Novant Health/New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC for 14 years and served four years as their inaugural Director of Health Equity & Human Experience for the Coastal Region. Joe has over 25 years of leadership experience and is actively involved in the Wilmington community. His purpose statement is “to cultivate an environment for your success.”

Optimism is a big part of Joe. Through his work, Joe has come to realize that most are out of synch between purpose and the behaviors that actualize or drive that purpose. Often, he can be heard saying, The toughest thing anyone has to do in their lifetime is to develop balance and ask, Is it better to be right or in ‘right’ relationship?

Joe holds a BA in Church Ministries and has served as a former Pastor, Music Minister, & Church Planter. He has an MBA in Healthcare Management and holds certifications in Diversity Management, Implicit Bias Training, HR Diversity & Inclusion, and is a Lean-Six Sigma Black Belt Coach and Facilitator.

Joe has been married to his high school sweetheart, Tiffany, since 1991. Together they have four adult sons. In addition to his family, Joe's passions include reading, research, history, music, cooking, and traveling as much as possible.

Strategic leader, collaborative campus partner, and proven administrator with an innovative and resilient spirit, as well as a track record of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Energetic, driven, diligent champion of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion- living his passion in his community as well as career. Repeatedly chosen to head up diversity, equity, and inclusion projects and programs. Consummate professional, diplomatic, and tactful, building effective relationships with persons at all levels and overcoming adversity with inclusion and positivity. 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Strategic Leadership        *        Evaluating Existing Programs, Policies, Practices        *        Underrepresented

Collaborative Partnership        *        Making Recommendations, Presentations         *         Unconscious Bias

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion        *         Providing Guidance and Resources        *        Program Development

ABIDE Education Programs         *         Creating, Fostering, Maintaining Community         *         Budgeting

Empowering Others          *           Affirming the Dignity of Every Individual           *          Grant Solicitation 

Education

• Master's Degree: Healthcare Management (MHCM)

• American International University- Schaumburg, Illinois

• Bachelor of Arts Degree: Church Ministries (BA), Ordained Minister

• Trinity Baptist College- Jacksonville, Florida

• Mathematics Major, 72 - Hours Completed (Associates Equivalent; Honorable Discharge)

  • United States Naval Academy- Annapolis, Maryland

• Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion- Cornell University (2021)

• Lean Strategies/Sig Sigma Black Belt- New Hanover Regional Medical Center (2021)

• Cook Ross Everyday Bias for Health Care Professionals Training- Cook Ross Inc (2019)

• Certification as a Lean Strategies Professional and Coach- Belmont University (2013)

• Certified Hospital Environmental Services Professional (CHESP)- American Hospital Association (2006)

Honors & Awards

• Health Care Hero in the Category of Community Outreach, Greater Wilmington Business Journal (2020)

• Leader of Excellence (Studer Group Recognition), Gulf Coast Medical Center (2004)

Career Narrative

• Novant Health | New Hanover Regional Medical Center - Wilmington, NC (2007-2022)

  • Director, Health Equity and Human Experience (September 2017- 2022)

Community Service & Board Membership

• Board Member- Step Up Wilmington (new-2021)

  • Fundraising Committee (2021- Present)

• Group Member- 100 Black Men of Coastal North Carolina (new - 2021)

  • Website/Social Media Liaison (2021 - Present)

  • 100 BMCNC Success Academy

• Board Member- Voyage of Wilmington (2019- 2021)

• Board Member- Community Boys and Girls Club (2018 - 2022)

  • Treasurer (2021 - 2022)

• Board Member- WHQR Public Radio (2019 - 2022)

  • Development Committee (2020 - 2022)

• Volunteer- NourishNC (Periodic 2017 - 2021)

• Founding Board Member- Northside Food Coop (2019-2021)

• Board Member- Foxes Boxes Extern Program (2019-2020)

• Project Assistant Coordinator- "Dancin' in the Park" (2018 - 2020)

• Board Member- Willowick Homeowners Association (2015 - 2020)

  • Vice-President and Treasurer (2018 - 2020)

• Committee Member- NHRMC Foundation's Employee Campaign Fundraiser (2012 - 2018)

  • Committee Leadership (Campaign Chair 2016-2017; Campaign Co-Chair, 2012 - 2015)

  • Helped increase donations year-over-year; cumulatively raised $1.5 million dollars.