Triad Business Journal Says Pancoast has Impact

The publication honors outstanding leaders in human resources.

Greensboro – Ellen Pancoast, the vice president of people operations for Cone Health, has been recognized as a 2025 HR Impact Award winner by the Triad Business Journal. The annual awards honor human resources leaders who play a pivotal role in building strong, people-first workplace cultures. 

Pancoast joined Cone Health in 2012. She has held several key leadership roles within the organization, including executive director of people operations and director of employee partnerships.

Pancoast led Cone Health’s Career Architecture Initiative. It involved streamlining 1,600 job descriptions and implementing a new compensation structure. This helped Cone Health better align with the market and improve team member engagement, retention and career development. Under her leadership, Cone Health provided more than $12 million in market and pay adjustments and reclassified jobs for approximately 12,000 team members.

“Ellen is a dynamic and values-driven leader who puts people at the center of every decision,” says Michelle Adamolekun, Cone Health Chief People & Culture Officer. “Her work ensures that Cone Health remains a place where people can thrive and belong—professionally and personally.” 

This year, Pancoast was appointed to the North Carolina Governor’s Task Force for Child Care & Early Education. She contributes her expertise to efforts to expand access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education across the state.