Winfred McCoy
2023-2025 President. Winfred “Wendy” McCoy is an Eastern NC native from Cove City, NC. He is a graduate of UMO (University of Mount Olive) and Elon University. He has been a Mortgage Loan Officer for 34 year and is currently with Union Home Mortgage. Wendy is the father of three beautiful adult children (two sons and a daughter) with whom he enjoys spending quality time together, be it on the water, in the woods, or just rough housing; life is never a dull moment with the McCoy’s! A resident of Wilmington for 30 plus years, Wendy and Lump to Laughter’s Executive Director, Connie Hill’s friendship expands that time frame. Along with Lump to Laughter’s faith based foundations and values, he credits Connie’s infectious spirit and personality to be a driving influence to serve on the Board of Directors. Wendy feels it a privilege to be given the opportunity to support the organization and is eager to begin the journey!
Nikki Simpson
2023-2025 Vice-President
Courtney Last
Courtney Last moved to Wilmington from Northern Virginia to attend UNCW in 2005. She quickly fell in love with Wilmington and her next door neighbor, Michael Last, who she later married in 2012. They have 3 beautiful children, Cameron (8), Addison (5) and Tully (2), that keep them on their toes. Courtney lost her beloved mother after a long battle with Breast Cancer in 2019. After that, Courtney found a sense of peace helping others going through similar obstacles. Courtney reached out to Connie Hill and quickly found comfort from being a part of Lump to Laughter and their mission. She hit the ground running helping with the 2020 Beauty of Hope Gala and is looking forward to planning many more successful fundraising events for Lump to Laughter.
Courtney Last
Courtney Last moved to Wilmington from Northern Virginia to attend UNCW in 2005. She quickly fell in love with Wilmington and her next door neighbor, Michael Last, who she later married in 2012. They have 3 beautiful children, Cameron (8), Addison (5) and Tully (2), that keep them on their toes. Courtney lost her beloved mother after a long battle with Breast Cancer in 2019. After that, Courtney found a sense of peace helping others going through similar obstacles. Courtney reached out to Connie Hill and quickly found comfort from being a part of Lump to Laughter and their mission. She hit the ground running helping with the 2020 Beauty of Hope Gala and is looking forward to planning many more successful fundraising events for Lump to Laughter.
Dayma Huston
Dayma Fuentes Huston was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New Jersey, but has called Wilmington her home since 1996. She is married to Kip Huston and has one daughter, Amanda. She is the owner of Dia Mia Design, an event planning company she started in 2002. Dayma became involved with Lump to Laughter as a volunteer in 2013. Her organization and planning skills as well as her military (order) experience have been invaluable to the organization's events and annual gala. We were delighted when she decided to join our board and being her creativity and event planning experience.
Dayma Huston
Dayma Fuentes Huston was born in Puerto Rico, raised in New Jersey, but has called Wilmington her home since 1996. She is married to Kip Huston and has one daughter, Amanda. She is the owner of Dia Mia Design, an event planning company she started in 2002. Dayma became involved with Lump to Laughter as a volunteer in 2013. Her organization and planning skills as well as her military (order) experience have been invaluable to the organization's events and annual gala. We were delighted when she decided to join our board and being her creativity and event planning experience.
Debby Shaw
After her own battle with breast cancer and a recipient of our Angel Fund during her battle, she knew the importance of Lump to Laughter in the community and became a board member in 2023. Debby has been in Wilmington since 1991 when she came to attend UNCW as a volleyball player where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education. With over 30 years of experience with event planning, helping charitable organizations and running events, Debby will be a great asset to our board. She is a single mother of daughter, Connor and son, Cooper, who are her motivation to be the best she can be. She currently works for Globe Life Liberty National Division writing life insurance, and supplemental health policies such as accident, critical illness and cancer.
Bonnie Hayden
Bonnie Melville is originally from Pittson, PA and settled in Wilmington, NC in the early 90’s. She has been a mortgage lender since 1998 and is currently with Tidewater Mortgage Services. (NMLSR# 450593). She has a daughter, Kayla and in 2020 married Paul Hayden and welcomed two additional daughters, Sophie and Isabelle. Bonnie became involved with Lump to Laughter because of a strong family history of breast cancer and believing in the mission of the ministry. We are excited to have this hard-working lady on our board. Bonnie has such a spirit of caring and giving which is a perfect fit for the ministry.
Bonnie Hayden
Bonnie Melville is originally from Pittson, PA and settled in Wilmington, NC in the early 90’s. She has been a mortgage lender since 1998 and is currently with Tidewater Mortgage Services. (NMLSR# 450593). She has a daughter, Kayla and in 2020 married Paul Hayden and welcomed two additional daughters, Sophie and Isabelle. Bonnie became involved with Lump to Laughter because of a strong family history of breast cancer and believing in the mission of the ministry. We are excited to have this hard-working lady on our board. Bonnie has such a spirit of caring and giving which is a perfect fit for the ministry.
Paul Hayden
Paul Hayden recently relocated to Wilmington from Fayetteville NC where he raised a family for 25 years. Paul is now married to fellow board member Bonnie Hayden, and together they have 3 wonderful daughters: Sophie, Isabelle & Kayla. He graduated from Clemson University and started his first career in the US Army as a Field Artillery Officer. Following the military years he came to NC and worked in the Livestock industry raising pigs for a number of years until finding his way into the Real Estate industry. Paul now works for Tidewater Mortgage Services as a Mortgage Loan Officer (NMLSR #1471761) since 2016. Through his wife Bonnie, Paul was introduced to Executive Director of Lump to Laughter, Connie Hill, and before he knew it he was volunteering for different events and fundraisers around Wilmington. Paul has always enjoyed the involvement of other civic organizations, meeting new faces, and being a part of a greater need. Lump to Laughter has been a saving grace for so many women of our community which inspired Paul to continue being part of something bigger and deserving of his time.
Nicole Jones moved to Wilmington, NC from Columbia, Maryland in the early 90s. She is the mother of four children, three girls and one boy. She has 14 years of Marketing and Project Management experience, as well as 4 years of Office Management Experience. Nicole is currently a licensed NC Realtor. She is thrilled to serve on the board of directors for Lump to Laughter, as she herself is a survivor. Her strong faith in God and God's plan for us all helped to guide her through that experience, as well as other obstacles in life. Jeremiah 29:11 is her go to scripture to remind her of God's perfect plan for good in all of our lives. Her experience and caring heart for others will be a true asset to the organization.
Connie Hill is a Wilmington, NC working mother of 2 and wife who overcame breast cancer when she was 34 years old. She is the Cofounder and Executive Director of Lump to Laughter and the author of “From Lump to Laughter-The Story of Grace.” Originally from Durham, NC she made the coast her home after graduating at UNCW with a BS in Marine Biology and a minor in Education. She has 2 years of teaching experience, 13 years of sales and marketing experience along with 11 years as an executive administrative assistant. Her strength in marketing and networking is an asset to the Lump to Laughter ministry. She has a passion to serve, a love of people as well as a strong determination to help others and it shows in everything she does.