Erin Payne

Erin Payne moved to Wilmington in 1990 to attend college at UNC-Wilmington and soon fell in love with public radio and WHQR. She has been a proud member of WHQR since 1992. Erin hales from a ‘Navy Family’ and lived in multiple states and Cuba during her childhood. But the most special and formative years of her youth were spent in Chapel Hill – Go Heels!

Erin has a Masters Degree in Public Administration a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish. She is a proud double-alumna of UNC-Wilmington.

Erin is the Director of Fund Development for Cape Fear Literacy Council. A former executive director of several nonprofits in southeastern North Carolina, Erin has over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit and state government environments.

Erin joined the Community Advisory Board in 2019 because she believes strongly in the value of public radio’s ability to entertain, educate, and encourage civil discourse. She and her husband, Joe enjoy being members of WHQR’s Leadership Circle and Legacy Society.

When she is not working, you will find Erin either in the ocean, the garden, her kitchen, or serving her community on local nonprofit boards and the Wilmington Rotary Club. You’ll probably also find her and Joe happily enjoying Cinematique, Soup to Nuts concerts, WHQR meet-ups, Fourth Fridays gallery events, and many WHQR parties and gatherings!