Homeward Bound Names Jessie Figueroa CEO
The Asheville nonprofit's resource development director will succeed Simon Dwight, who is leaving the top role.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
Homeward Bound has named Jessie Figueroa, its current resource development director, as its next chief executive, succeeding Simon Dwight. Simon Dwight will remain in his position for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
Why it matters
The appointment gives the Asheville nonprofit an internal successor who already knows its fundraising operations, and the planned addition of a chief operating officer signals a broader restructuring of its leadership team.
The announcement is a single leadership transition with no reported financial or operational figures. Simon Dwight will remain in his role for the next few months, and the timing of the new chief operating officer hire was not specified.
The players
Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound is an Asheville, North Carolina-based nonprofit organization that provides services to people experiencing homelessness.
Jessie Figueroa
Jessie Figueroa is the current resource development director at Homeward Bound and has been selected as the organization's next chief executive.
Simon Dwight
Simon Dwight is the outgoing chief executive of Homeward Bound who is leaving the role while remaining in place during the transition.
Wayne Swanton
Wayne Swanton is the board president of Homeward Bound and is associated with the organization's leadership decisions.
The details
Homeward Bound selected Jessie Figueroa, who currently serves as its resource development director, to lead the nonprofit, with board president Wayne Swanton overseeing the transition. The organization announced the appointment in a November 2 news release and will add a chief operating officer position to its leadership team.
Timeline
Last week: Homeward Bound announced that Simon Dwight would leave his CEO role.
November 2, 2026: Homeward Bound issued the news release naming Jessie Figueroa as CEO.
Next few months: Simon Dwight remains in his position during the leadership transition.
Market Landscape
Promoting an internal development director to chief executive is a common path at nonprofits that depend heavily on fundraising for their budgets. The addition of a chief operating officer alongside the new CEO suggests Homeward Bound is separating strategic leadership from day-to-day operations.
For people who rely on Homeward Bound's services or donate to the organization, the change means continuity in program leadership, since the new CEO already runs its fundraising. Donors and volunteers should expect the transition period to be the main point of change in day-to-day contact.
The takeaway
Internal promotions like this one often preserve continuity in fundraising and community relationships, so the transition period will be the key test of how smoothly leadership passes from Simon Dwight to Jessie Figueroa.
What happens next
Simon Dwight will remain in his position for the next few months while the transition to Jessie Figueroa takes effect.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, explore the People section for context on who is shaping Asheville's business and nonprofit sectors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLOS.
