God's Storehouse Names Suzie Vaughan Executive Director
Vaughan will train alongside Karen Harris, who retires Jan. 29 after 14 years leading the Danville food pantry.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in People
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God's Storehouse has named Suzie Vaughan as its new executive director, replacing Karen Harris, who has led the organization for 14 years. Vaughan began work the Monday before the announcement and will train alongside Harris before Harris retires Jan. 29.
Why it matters
Harris is stepping down after 14 years and wants more time at her beach home and to take up golf, following her husband's retirement two years ago. Harris does not expect demand for food assistance to decline, making the leadership transition significant for families who rely on the pantry.
God's Storehouse handed out 2,729 boxes this past March, compared with 2,477 families served in March 2012. Harris has led the pantry for 14 years, and the extraction does not detail any budget or staffing changes tied to the transition.
The players
God's Storehouse
A Danville food pantry that distributes boxes of food to families in need.
Suzie Vaughan
A nonprofit leader who founded It Takes a Village Project, Inc. to serve youth and young adults in Rockingham County, North Carolina.
Karen Harris
The outgoing executive director who has led God's Storehouse for 14 years and will retire Jan. 29.
The details
Suzie Vaughan, founder and executive director of It Takes a Village Project, Inc., previously worked as director of operations at Pennrose Park Country Club and held management roles with Versona and Tuesday Morning stores. She also chaired the Reidsville Appearance Commission.
Timeline
March 2012: God's Storehouse served 2,477 families.
Last Monday: Suzie Vaughan started work at God's Storehouse.
December 2026: Karen Harris turns 65.
Jan. 29, 2027: Karen Harris retires as executive director.
Leadership Continuity
Vaughan founded It Takes a Village Project, Inc., a nonprofit serving youth and young adults in Rockingham County, North Carolina, before joining God's Storehouse. Her move from youth services to food assistance places her experience in local nonprofit management at the center of the pantry's next chapter.
Families relying on God's Storehouse should expect continuity during the handoff, since Vaughan will train with Harris before her retirement. Harris does not expect the number of people seeking food assistance to decrease, so demand on the pantry is likely to remain high.
The takeaway
Nonprofit leadership transitions often hinge on overlap periods, and the planned training between Harris and Vaughan offers a structured handoff. Demand for food assistance is expected to persist, making the continuity of services a central concern for the community.
What happens next
Karen Harris retires as executive director Jan. 29, 2027, and Suzie Vaughan will train alongside her until then.
Further reading
Explore more local leadership stories in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Danville Register and Bee.
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