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First, Goodwill is a local not-for-profit, so our success isn’t measured by shareholder value or profits; it’s measured by the outcomes of our mission to empower people to change their lives by increasing their independence and reaching their potential. As a Goodwill employee, you’re not just a contributor to the mission you’re also a beneficiary of the mission.
Goodwill’s holistic approach to support and the wraparound services we provide are another significant differentiator. All of Goodwill’s donations come from the surrounding community, and the proceeds from the sale of those donations are reinvested into Goodwill’s mission programming and services, including a comprehensive benefits package (see Total Rewards sidebar), stabilization services, wraparound services, and professional development for Goodwill employees.
Stabilization services include helping Goodwill employees with basic needs, like housing, transportation, and food insecurity. Goodwill Mission Coaches, who you will read more about on page 7, can assist you with these immediate needs.
Your Mission Coach can also help you figure out what’s next. Whether that’s earning a job certification or credential, returning to school, or seeking a job promotion, there are resources available to help you apply as well as pay for any associated costs. Read on to learn more about the professional development opportunities available to you through Goodwill.
Our staff are an extension of our mission and the embodiment of one of our key organizational values to demonstrate respect for the dignity, worth and uniqueness of all people. Goodwill strives to provide an optimal environment and workplace, where you feel appreciated, supported, and empowered to do your best work. Raise your hand, and let us know how we can help.
I strongly encourage you to read this newsletter to see which Goodwill support services make the most sense for you. Thanks for all you do!
This newsletter is designed to provide relevant information to help you engage with Goodwill. Learn about what’s going on at Goodwill, get answers to commonly asked questions, access valuable discounts, celebrate your co-workers, see examples of how your work is changing lives and much more! Have a story idea? Submit tips to Jenny Kakasuleff at jennifer.kakasuleff@goodwillindy.org.
403b retirement match percent
Health, dental, & vision insurance
Free mental health and nurse health coaching services
No-cost life and disability insurance
Employee discount program(s), including 20% off at retail stores
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Competitive pay with internal promotion opportunities
Parenting and sabbatical leave (REFRESH) programs
Some positions eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
Goodwill believes that our strength lies in the diversity among the broad range of people we employ, educate and serve. We pledge to be informed and to create an equitable culture and workplace that will support the changes we want to see in our community. Our responsibility is to act with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we expect the same from our partners, vendors and communities. These actions will create an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work.
Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership has served more than 8,000 families since 2011.
When you work at Goodwill, you’re supporting Hoosiers in our community, like Michaelae Cotton, a graduate of Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership®, a maternal-child health care program that pairs first-time, low-income parents with a registered nurse who makes regular home visits from pregnancy through the child’s second birthday.
“When I was first diagnosed with unspecified psychosis, I didn’t want to believe it,” Michaelae said. “Many times… those with this diagnosis are described as ‘crazy.’ I was embarrassed and felt ashamed. It wasn’t until I found safe spaces that I began to embark on a journey of victory. My nurse came into my life at the perfect time.”
When Michaelae enrolled in Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership in 2021, she was 25 weeks pregnant, forcing her to leave her job and school and move back in with her parents. These added stressors exacerbated her mental health struggles at one point requiring inpatient care.
“I found safety within the presence of my nurse she aided me in coming back to reality,” Michaelae said.
Nurse home visitors ensure children are achieving expected milestones and provide support on a range of issues, including breastfeeding, health care, quality child care, education, employment and much more.
“Not only did my nurse assist me in staying motivated, but she also connected me with resources to help me elevate to a level I never knew I could reach,” Michaelae said.
Despite the challenges she faced, Michaelae re-enrolled in school and completed her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Now she lives independently with her daughter, Ya’Leah, and has a job she loves with Indy Peace Fellowship. She was also recently accepted into Martin University’s graduate program in community psychology, where she will pursue a Master of Science degree.
“Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership gave me guidance when becoming a mother and set me up to succeed,” Michaelae said. “With every appointment, I left feeling more equipped and ready to take on the journey of motherhood. It truly changed my life.”
If you or someone you know is interested in Nurse-Family Partnership, visit: goodwillindy.org/nfp
On the evening of March 14, 2024, Goodwill’s employees and neighbors in Winchester faced a frightening ordeal as severe storms swept through the community, leaving devastation in their wake. The Goodwill Store located in Winchester, which had just opened in August of 2023, sustained major damage and had to be temporarily closed.
Understanding the importance of our services and the role we play in the community, Goodwill committed to rebuilding the store and supporting our displaced employees.
First, all employees received a care package immediately following the storm, which included groceries, a gas card and hygiene supplies. Employees also received a week off from work following the storm with pay and offered continuous employment with Goodwill at another store. Twelve employees accepted the offer and currently receive reimbursement for the extra miles they incur as a result of their temporary relocations.
Several Goodwills across North America made financial gifts to help support our dislocated employees, all of whom received a direct financial gift from these donations. In addition, Goodwill Mission Coaches assisted two employees who sustained damage to their personal homes.
Following the storm, the store was quickly secured and cleaned up, and Goodwill was able to recover a large portion of the items that were donated by the community. We are also taking this opportunity to make several improvements to the store, including updating the overall look, and it is on track to reopen by the end of 2024.
We are proud to be a vital part of the Winchester community and look forward to our grand re-opening!
We are excited to announce that Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana will host the Goodwill Industries International Delegate Assembly in 2025! More than 600 guests are expected to attend, including executives from across Goodwill’s network and members of Goodwill Industries International’s board of directors. Attendees will come together to learn from one another, share ideas, challenge thinking and celebrate achievements from across the Goodwill network. This also gives us an opportunity to share all of the wonderful work happening in central and southern Indiana. Let’s show our guests How Good is Made!
One of the great benefits about working at Goodwill is the variety of career opportunities available to you. Goodwill has roles in retail, manufacturing, health, education, and mission, as well as support department roles in information technology, human resources, marketing, accounting and more. It’s not uncommon for employees to transition from one division of Goodwill to another, like Johnny Manson did.
When Johnny joined Goodwill in October 2016, as a part-time donation attendant, he had been struggling to secure employment due to past legal issues and a lifelong history of depression.
“Having a job I enjoy that provides me with the mental health services I need has played a critical role in overcoming these challenges,” Johnny said.
He was immediately recognized for his hard work, quickly moving through the ranks, and in just over two years, he was promoted to Site Leader at one of Goodwill’s retail outlets. His income tripled over that period.
Johnny also took advantage of the services of a Goodwill Mission Coach — full-time career and life coaches who work with Goodwill’s employees, students and other program participants to help them set goals and take steps to achieve them.
In addition to advancing in his career, Johnny wanted to go back to school and purchase a car and a home. He worked with his Mission Coach to apply for Goodwill’s Education Support Program, which helped cover the tuition for his bachelor’s degree in business administration.
He then enrolled in a graduate program where he worked toward a master’s degree in organizational leadership and graduated in May 2021. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration, which he expects to finish in late 2024. Johnny’s Mission Coach also advised him on how to improve his credit score, which increased by more than 130 points, along with his net worth, allowing him to meet his goal of purchasing a car and a home.
After several years in retail, Johnny decided that he wanted to transition into a mission-based role that would allow him to more directly serve those enrolled in Goodwill’s programs. In 2021, he became a Life Coach at The Excel Center — a similar role as a Mission Coach but with a focus on adult students. In 2023, he was promoted to Director of the new Excel Center location in southeast Indianapolis.
Johnny’s unique path illustrates how the people Goodwill serves are often motivated to serve others, many of whom face the same barriers, creating foundational relationships and stronger communities.
“Goodwill has helped me accomplish goals in education and employment and has had a profound impact in changing my life,” Johnny said.
Goodwill Mission Coaches are a free resource available to all employees. These experts help you identify resources to overcome personal and professional challenges and can assist you with a range of issues. First, Mission Coaches ensure your basic needs are met, like housing, food, child care, health care and more. Next they move on to advanced supports, like helping you further your education or earn a job credential and providing financial literacy training and credit counseling.
Mission Coaches can connect you with a range of services available through Goodwill, including The Excel Center®, Goodwill’s high school for adults, and Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership® for first-time, low-income moms, as well as TalentSource™, Goodwill’s in-house job placement team, which can help you advance in your career whether that’s with Goodwill or an external employer. If the support you need is outside of Goodwill for example, you’re interested in buying a home Mission Coaches will connect you with those resources through our community partners, like the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership.
If you’re interested in consulting with a Mission Coach, check the flyer in your break room for the next date and time that they’ll be at your site, and schedule some time to discuss your goals with them.
There are nearly half-a-million Hoosiers who lack a high school diploma, which significantly limits their earning potential and job prospects, but did you know that Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana operates 19 high schools? The Excel Center serves adults in 18 locations throughout central and southern Indiana, and Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, for traditional-age students, is located near downtown Indianapolis.
Our schools offer students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. What differentiates Goodwill’s high schools is the focus on removing barriers that may impede an individual’s ability to complete their education.
In addition to free onsite child care and transportation assistance, which is offered to all of our students, The Excel Center offers expedited curriculum and flexible scheduling to ensure adult learners with jobs and other responsibilities outside of the classroom can attend school and finish quickly.
All students also have access to a life coach and college and career readiness specialists who help them map out their next steps post-graduation — whether that’s applying to college or preparing for a career. To date, more than 9,000 Hoosiers have graduated from one of Goodwill’s high schools.
If you or someone you know is interested in earning their high school diploma, visit excelcenter.org (for adults) or indianapolismet.org (for traditional-age students) to learn more and enroll.
Goodwill offers an Education Support Program designed to encourage ongoing learning and development by helping employees further their education to achieve personal and organizational goals. In addition to tuition reimbursement and tuition assistance, which each cover up to $5,250 of costs per calendar year, Goodwill’s partnerships with local academic institutions, like Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue Global University, Indiana University Indianapolis, and Marian College, allow Goodwill employees to receive their college degree at no cost or deeply reduced rates. Education support includes individual courses, credentials, certifications, and college degrees from the associate to master level.
To learn more, talk to your supervisor or consult with your site’s Mission Coach.
Do you have federal student loan debt? As a full-time employee at Goodwill, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program after 10 years of qualifying payments. Learn more and apply at: studentaid.gov/pslf
When you’re ready to take the next step in your career, Goodwill’s in-house job placement team, TalentSource™, is available to help. Not only will they assist you in updating your resume and practicing your interview skills, but they will also help you identify and apply for open positions — even if they’re outside of Goodwill. Speak to a supervisor or your site’s Mission Coach if you’d like to connect with the TalentSource team.
Do you know someone who is looking to join a great team, or are you interested in pursuing a new position at Goodwill? Make sure to check out our careers page for open positions at goodwillindy.org/careers!
One of the best investments you can make in yourself is through Goodwill’s retirement plan, which allows eligible employees to contribute a predetermined amount of their pre-tax and/or post-tax income into their own 403(b) plan. In addition to the gains you may earn on your own contributions, Goodwill will match you up to 6% of your pay.* For example, if you earn $750 per pay period and contribute 6% to your retirement account ($45), then Goodwill will match your contribution and also contribute $45. Over the course of a year, you will contribute $1,170, but with Goodwill’s match, you will have a potential $2,340 in your account, plus any gains earned from your investment.
This is FREE MONEY — don’t leave it on the table.
*Please note: match available to eligible employees only.
Elements Financial is the credit union partner of Goodwill, and their goal is to provide financial wellness benefits to Goodwill employees and their families, including one-on-one credit reviews, assistance with a loan application, creating a budget, managing debt, planning for future financial goals, and much more! Attend one of the following workshops (both online and in person options are available) to learn more:
Healthcare and Your Money | Tuesday, October 22, 12-1 p.m.
Understanding Your Credit | Thursday, October 31, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Visit elements.org/goodwill/events/ to sign up for a workshop.
Among the challenges that members of the Goodwill family face, a criminal background is among the most debilitating. A criminal charge, conviction, or even an arrest can create huge obstacles in an individual’s road to self-sufficiency. It inhibits eligibility for many types of government assistance and severely restricts access to housing, education and employment opportunities. A single matter in one’s life often serves as a lifelong barrier towards reaching their full potential.
The Legal Expungement Aid Project (LEAP) addresses this issue by offering free legal service and expungement assistance to anyone who utilizes Goodwill services, including current employees. The mission of LEAP is to offer individuals in the Goodwill family, through a partnership with Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, free legal services regarding the Indiana Expungement Law (IN Code 35-38-9). Through this partnership, 73 participants have had their criminal history expunged.
To ensure all Goodwill leaders are prepared and equipped with the tools and resources necessary to lead their teams confidently and effectively, the Goodwill Learning and Development team is pleased to announce the recent launch of New Manager Essentials orientation! This training is available to all new leaders and provides an overview of resources available to help build and support your team.
Session topics include: New Manager Building and Supporting Your Team, Balancing Head and Heart Refresher, Strategic Plan and Pay Philosophy, Recruiting, Accounting, Payroll, Employee Relations, Benefits, Risk Management, Mental Health, Learning and Development and Offboarding. Here’s what graduates of the training are saying:
“ This training has vital information that people need to know as a leader. ”
“ It was comprehensive and very informational. ”
“ This taught me a lot of information that I needed to be an effective leader to my team. ”
The Payroll and Human Resources teams are pleased to announce that employee time and attendance as well as most help ticketing will now be managed through Workday. Launched last month, the new integration eliminated Workforce from Goodwill’s suite of applications and streamlined all time entry through Workday.
In addition, all help tickets — with the exception of loss prevention and safety — were transitioned from ThinkLP to Workday. You will now use Workday when you need help with things like employee relations, benefits and wellness, hiring, payroll, wraparound services and more. Loss prevention and safety will continue to be reported through ThinkLP until January 2025.
Please contact payroll@goodwillindy.org for questions about Workday Time and Attendance or workday@goodwillindy.org for questions about Workday Help.
Original oil painting by Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953)
Sold for $31k+
Vintage Gibson SG Junior Dog Ear P90 Angel Wing Cherry Guitar & Case
Sold for $6,779
There are big changes coming to Workday that will make it much easier for you to access the information you need, so if you haven’t already, download the app! Workday provides mobile apps for:
• iPad and iPhone devices running iOS 10 or higher
• Android devices running 5 or higher
The Workday mobile app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. When you launch the Workday mobile app for the first time, you’ll need to change the web address in the app settings.
Vintage Royal Wood Grain Typewriter
Sold for $942
18K Yellow Gold Omega Chain Necklace w/ 14K Extender
Sold for $2,399
• Launch the app
• Select Settings (the gear icon in the upper right corner)
• Change the Web Address to: wd5.myworkday.com
• Our Tenant is: gici
• Select Save
• Sign in
• When prompted, set up a 4-digit pin for easy login
As part of our One Goodwill Strategic Plan, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana developed a number of initiatives aimed at improving the mental health support provided to the people we employ, educate and serve. One of these initiatives included hiring a Mental Health Strategist, an entirely new role created to support the organization as we sought to create a culture that removes the stigma surrounding mental health. Learn more about Sarah Ash, Goodwill’s Mental Health Strategist, and how she envisions making an impact in her role.
Describe your current role at Goodwill.
I’m currently focused on forming relationships across the organization to understand the unique challenges different areas face and partnering with them to develop ways to address those challenges. It has been exciting to think through the nuanced support we can implement in such a broad and diverse organization.
What are some of the challenges employers are grappling with in terms of mental health in the workplace?
Even if we can all agree on what mental health is, what we each need as individuals to achieve it can be vastly different. For employers, this can be a really challenging reality to navigate because it means that each employee needs something unique. So attempting to build something that is both equitable and adaptable is very difficult, but important work.
How is Goodwill responding to these challenges?
Some of the responses I’ve seen are increasing communication to understand our employees, making strides to reduce mental health stigma, investing in benefits that empower individuals to access the care they might need and increasing the presence of or access to mental health professionals in the work environment.
In five years, how do you envision the culture at Goodwill shifting to support mental health?
My hope is that mental health continues to be integrated in the experience of Goodwill as it is cemented into a defining part of our culture. For those we employ, educate and serve, this could mean they are empowered, from day one, to consider their mental or emotional needs as a necessary component of the potential we strive to help them reach and not just a side-effect of having reached that potential. I hope that we all feel confident in our ability to navigate mental health challenges that arise and encourage appropriate use of the resources Goodwill provides. Finally, that those resources are both flexible and comprehensive enough to make a lasting impact on an individual’s overall well-being. It’s a big vision but one I feel wholly confident is possible!
Tava Health is a benefit that Goodwill provides to all employees for care that is expected to be recurring. Tava allows you to establish a long-term relationship with a mental health provider to help with emotional health, depression, anxiety, and more. All Goodwill employees, their spouses and dependents are each eligible for 15 free sessions per year with the counselor of their choice. All sessions are confidential and held virtually for your convenience.
Sign up at: https://care.tavahealth.com/signup
The Employee Assistance Program offers support, guidance and resources to help you find the right balance between your work and home life. Licensed counselors are available to provide you and your family with information and assistance in several areas, including mental health, substance abuse, financial issues, legal concerns and more. Your calls are completely confidential. The service is free, and all calls are answered 24/7. Access the Employee Assistance Program by:
phone: 1-855-775-4357
web: https://rsli.acieap.com/
If you are a new employee, use the following company code to create your account: RSLI859
Studies show that physical activity is a great way to manage stress and anxiety and has long-term benefits on mental health. As a Goodwill employee, you are eligible for discounted memberships at VASA Fitness, Planet Fitness, and the YMCA.
• Scan the QR code or go to vasafitness.com/join and enter Goodwill’s promo code: BDINGOOD
• If you already have a VASA membership, email businessmembership@vasafitness.com to claim your discount.
Planet Fitness
• Scan the QR code and follow the instructions.
• The Black Card Plus membership is $24.99/month with no annual fee. Promo Code: WELLNESSBC
• The Home Club membership is $10/month with an annual fee of $49. Promo Code: WELLNESS10
If you’re interested in joining your local YMCA, please contact the benefits and wellness team for more information at benefitsandwellness@goodwillindy.org.
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana understands the significance of encouraging employees to take time off in order to renew themselves both personally and professionally. A refresh is the perfect way for employees to recharge and return to work with a renewed focus. The REFRESH benefit is a 3-week paid leave designed to encourage ongoing self-care and rejuvenation in an effort to increase employee retention and provide an opportunity for leadership development.
All employees (PT/FT) are eligible for the REFRESH paid leave benefit after reaching 10 years of continuous employment. Each qualifying 10-year period thereafter will result in an additional REFRESH benefit. The redemption of the REFRESH benefit is initiated by the employee. Please refer to the full REFRESH policy on Workday for more details.
A Nurse Health Coach is a free resource available to employees 18 and over that can serve as a facilitator to help you identify opportunities to improve your overall health and wellness. Nurse Health Coaches:
• Connect you to a primary care provider
• Support you in managing chronic health conditions
• Help you pursue any health or wellness goals whether that is eating healthier, being more active, setting time aside for self-care, unplugging from social media and spending more time outside or with family and friends
• Monitor your blood pressure
• Connect you to resources
Nurse Health Coaches will NOT:
• Diagnose, advise, prescribe, or instruct you on what to do
• Pressure you to do anything
• Give unsolicited advice
• Replace a physician’s advice and/or treatment or substitute for regular medical care or an annual physical
All Nurse Health Coaching visits are confidential. If you are interested in connecting with a Nurse Health Coach, scan the QR code to complete a referral form.
Thank you for your commitment and dedication to Goodwill and the people we serve.
Ryan Ackermann
Ardella Aikens
Jamie Andrews
Carol Ann Frazier
Earla Ballin
DeVonche Barnes
Stephen Beaven
Martha Bess
Shelia Blaze
Tyrese Booker
Meara Bottomley
Chelsea Bragg
Kevin Brown
Ashley Brummett-Caraway
Lashondria Bryant
Linda Burchnell
Olivia Cannon
Maria Cecilia Dixon
Byron Charlesworth
Cherish Childs
Thomas Clark
Taylor Compton
Vickie Dalton
Christopher Davis
Tressa Derouin
Kaylee Akers
Joseph Almeida
Vetley Anderson
Brian Beeler
Christopher Borsch
Erik Caldwell
Tiffany Caserotti
Thomas Cherry
Michael Cochran
Dennis Cuffel
Kelcy Bales
Cynthia Broadway
Carla Collier-Fuentes
Betty Estridge
Rebecca Gibson
Don Gilliland
Cody Glidewell
Dustin Hale
Alina Hamman
Toni Height
Lafayette Duling
Rachel Eble
Olivia Enamorado
Brandon Everage
Brandi Filler
Samuel Franklin
Karen Freeland
Michael Gifford
Patience Gore
Brenda Gould
Pamela Gray
Laura Guyer
Alex Haag
Lisa Hallam
Carmen Harbaugh
Amber Harmon
Jessica Harpenau
Keslyn Harris
Yvonne Harris
Riley Harris
Brittany Hart
Tina Hatfield
Jennifer Hatten
Wiley Hayes
Bobbi Hensley
Maureen Cunningham
Rayla Dawalt
Mark Dinning
Matthew Easterday
Grant Foster
Amanda Gedert
Valerie Getz
Jordan Gill
Heather Hall
Daniel Hardin
Quinn Kelley
Sherry Kemp
Janelle McManus
Gary Phillips
Patty Rhodes
Edward Rickenbach
Nicole Simpson
Teresa Smith
Corey Starks
Nicole Walker
Anjanette Hill
Teresa Hockett
Charles Holiman
Robert Holland
Aiden Hood
Adam Hubbard
David Hunt
Jessica Hussey
Steven Johnson
Jody Jordan
Patricia Keenan
Carol Kershaw
Krista King
Natasha Koopman
Sean Larmer
Angela Leake
Darrin Lester
Kathleen Limerick
Katie Lowe
Calvin Lunseth
Michael Maleto
Andre Malone
Jonathan Martin
Gage Mathias
Macey McKenna
Kristin Harris
Carol Hooks
Allison Hunt
Jeanita Jordan
Bobbie Lambert
Brenda Leake
Matthew McCrady
Christin Mead
William Method
Sarah Morrison
Stevi Carter
Stacey Cobb
Antwain Duffy
William Dye
Cammy Betts
Brian Dille
Includes recipients from September 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Karen Mejia
Daniel Miller
Nicole Morrison
Brian Murphy
Jessica Myers
Daisy Myers
Brittany Mynatt
Jamie Nail
Jennifer Neff-Whitlow
Stephen Nigh
Katrina Nunez
Mia Oberlander
Brooke Oliphant
Derika Parris
Edward Peeler
Vicki Pettus
Sabrina Purgerson
Logan Reilly
Ashley Reynolds
Nikkoll Rhodes
Karissa Richards
Johnny Robinson
Daisy Rosales
April Rosenberger
Pamela Scott Mays
Margaret Morrissey
Maria Pratt
Codey Puckett
Ashton Richmer
Autumn Robinson
Charles Sargeant
Sarah Sondgeroth
Deborah Sparks
Krista Sparks
Mary Suter
Daniel Luca
Shelly Luthra Singh
John Miller
Javier Molina
Pam Ramey
Lorena Salas
Miandra Scrivener
Deborah Seebold
Alexander Sequeira
Jenny Sewell
Tina Shadowens
David Shafer
Jennifer Shaw
Jonathan Sheagley
Jennifer Sheffler
Brittany Silen
Carly Stevason
Amanda Tarana
Cara Taylor
Cindy Tow
Annette Tramell
Tracy Vance
Allison Verhines
Misty Watson
Sandra Wheelden
Bertha Williams
Vivian Williams
Jessica Wilson
Cheryl Wingler
Jeffrey Teepe
Amy Thomas
Marsha Tribby
Ryan Vanmatre
Lindsey Walker
Michelle Washington
Shinobu Watanabe
Jill Weaver
Octavia Williams
Jeffrey Moore
Eileen Siefker
Daryl Walker
Michael West
30 YEARS
Pamela Denton
Michelle “Shelly” Bright
Math Teacher, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School
Lindsay Kramer
Math Instructor, The Excel Center – Anderson
Danielle Moffatt
Manager of Office Administration, The Excel Center – Bloomington
Nicole Morrison
Lead Teacher, The Excel Center – Clarksville
Edward Smith
English Instructor, The Excel Center – Decatur
James Calabro
Coach-Instructor, The Excel Center – Kokomo
Josie Bolander
Special Education Instructor, The Excel Center – Lafayette
Gloria Combs Coach, The Excel Center – Meadows
Phillip DeJean
Math Instructor, The Excel Center – Michigan St
Tom Horan
English Instructor, The Excel Center – Muncie
Carolyn McKinney
Math Instructor, The Excel Center – Noblesville
Cassandra Kohn
Special Education Instructor, The Excel Center – Richmond
Ofelia Durham
Math Instructor, The Excel Center – Shadeland
Erica Wade
Manager of Office Administration, The Excel Center – Shelbyville
Meredith Bussing
EL Teacher of Record, The Excel Center – Southeast
Connie De Castro
Science Instructor, The Excel Center – University Heights
Luis Vargas
EL Teacher of Record, The Excel Center – West
to Goodwill President and CEO Kent Kramer, who was recently honored with the Goodwill Industries International Kenneth K. King Award for Outstanding Executive Management! Kent was also recognized in Indianapolis Business Journal’s 250 Influential Leaders list for the THIRD year in a row.
Goodwill Industries Achiever of the Year
Born with autism spectrum disorder, John Thompson did not begin speaking until he was eight years old. He was homeschooled and had no prior experience with public school before enrolling at The Excel Center® in Shelbyville, Goodwill’s tuition-free high school for adults. As a result, he lacked experience socializing in an academic setting and worried that his peers might not accept him.
“I was nervous, but since my first day, I loved it,” Thompson said. “Going to The Excel Center was a stepping stone for my success in entering the working world.”
He worked tirelessly – never missing a day of school – while winning the hearts of staff and peers alike. In 2021, he received his Indiana Core 40 high school diploma, graduating
with honors, and a Certified Business Professional credential from The Excel Center, allowing him to achieve meaningful employment at the Goodwill retail store in Shelbyville.
In addition to his academic and professional success, Thompson is a gifted singer and pianist, delighting the crowd with his performance at Goodwill UNBOXED in 2022. He was even named the Shelby Idol in 2010.
As a result of his accomplishments, Thompson was recently honored with Goodwill Industries International’s Achiever of the Year award, which recognizes a person who has shown great progress in overcoming challenges to finding employment and still benefits from the Goodwill work environment.
Congratulations to Katherine Finch, eCommerce Valuation Associate, for receiving her Gemologist Certification!
Shout-out to Sara Knott, Retail Site Leader, and her team at the South Meridian store, on achieving year-to-date growth in in-store revenue of 17% and eCommerce revenue of 53%.
President & CEO
Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana
250 Most Infl uential Business Leaders in Indiana
How good is made.
Shout-out to Shawn Lange, Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Lisa Allen, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, and Shawn Wolfgram, Senior Director of AbilityOne and Contracts, who recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby members of congress and advocate for their support of an increase to the SSI Asset Limit, which caps the assets that a person with disabilities can own to $2,000. This arbitrary limit places an unnecessary burden on persons with disabilities by making it impossible for them to plan for their future.
Congratulations to Corey Emery, Senior Director of Goodwill Education Initiatives, for being named a finalist in the 2024 Indy’s Best and Brightest awards!
Congratulations to April Mattingly, Michelle Cissell, and the entire Children’s Learning Center by Goodwill team for obtaining their NECPA Accreditation!
Congratulations to Goodwill Senior Vice President and Chief Mission and Education Officer Betsy Delgado, who was recently selected for the Pahara Fellowship, a program that identifies exceptional leaders in the educational excellence and equity movement, facilitates their dynamic growth, and strengthens their collective efforts to dramatically improve public education, especially those serving low-income children and communities.
Congratulations to Jenny Kakasuleff, Goodwill Marketing and Communications Manager, on completing her MBA at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Jenny utilized Goodwill’s Education Support Program to help with her tuition.
Congratulations to Bila Zongo, Clarksville Outlet Associate, for obtaining her US citizenship!
Shout-out to Valerie Jones, Senior Community Service Employment Program participant, for speaking at the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging!
Congratulations to Jimena Duran Hernandez, Diana Peraya, and Jena Vit, Retail Associates at the Southern Plaza Goodwill store, for graduating from high school!
Shout-out to the recruiting team for tirelessly tracking down the best talent for Goodwill!
Congratulations to Goodwill’s 2023-24 Leadership Series graduates!
Congratulations to the Goodwill Commercial Services Tremont Lencore team for obtaining their IPC certifications!
Shout-out to Kole Oesch, who graduated from Goodwill’s Janitorial Training Program after completing 480 hours of training!
Shout-out to our retail and foundation teams for representing Goodwill in MavPak’s 2024 Pallet Games!
Shout-out to the new site leaders in Puerto Rico Francisco Rodriguez, Heidi Gonzalez, and Jolly Negron on their successful training in Indiana as well as their continued support of Goodwill’s opening in Puerto Rico! Recently, these leaders collaborated with ARCO, Goodwill’s advertising partner, as well as our retail site leaders in Indiana, to host our first donation drive in Puerto Rico. The first stores are expected to open later this year.
Robert Abel | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Darien Adair | Manager, Manufacturing, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Anastasia Addis | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Martinsville
Nathaniel Aguilar | Store Team Leader, Bloomington
Alicia Allen | Store Leader, Emerson Avenue
Badr Allouche | Coach, The Excel Center – Shadeland
Devyn Arnold | Store Team Leader, W. Carmel
Jeffrey Baber | Line Lead, Tremont Facility
Matthew Baker | Store Leader, Rushville
Karen Barnes | Store Team Leader, Floyds Knobs
James Bartlett | Store Team Leader 2, Rushville
Eddie Baskerville | Assembler 2, Tremont Facility
Michael Bayird | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, College Park
Heather Beach | Store Team Leader, Anderson
Cameron Beaver | Assembler 2, Tremont Facility
Hyesha Berry | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Kokomo
Janice Bertram | Line Lead, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Rickey Birdsong | Assembler 2, Tremont Facility
Melissa Blattner | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Anson
Christopher Borsch | Director, AbilityOne and Contracts, Building One
Joshua Branson | Store Team Leader, Richmond
Brandy Bridgeforth | Director, The Excel Center – Richmond
Benjamin Bridges | Store Team Leader, Bedford
Felice Brokaw | English Instructor, The Excel Center – Lafayette
Jaylyn Brown | Director, Research and Evaluation, Corporate
Shannon Brown | Principal, Indy Met High School
Kevin Brown | Store Team Leader, Salem
Dillon Brown | Store Team Leader, Nora
Connie Brown | Store Team Leader, Allisonville Road
Johnathan Browning | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Jeffersonville
Brittany Burch | Store Leader, Southern Plaza
Katherine Bustamante | Vice President, GEI and The Excel Center National Office, Corporate
John Callahan | Assembler 2, Yost Facility
Nathan Callahan | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
David Carroll | Forklift Driver, Outlet West
Jody Casteel | Facilities Technician Team Leader, Corporate
Cori Caudle | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Lafayette
Casey Clendenen | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Spring Mill Pointe
Taylor Coffey | Department Leader, Outlet South
Kenyota Coleman | Lead Teacher, Children’s Learning Center
Mindy Collier | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Martinsville
Drew Collins | Store Team Leader, W. Washington
Morgan Colunga | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Carey Rd.
Gloria Combs | Lead Coach, The Excel Center – Meadows
Derek Conaway | Assembler 2, Yost Facility
Amanda Cook | Store Team Leader, College Park
Donisha Cowherd | Store Team Leader, Lafayette Road
Jessica Culley | Store Team Leader, Lebanon
Patricia Culp | Store Team Leader, Lafayette South
Simon Culp | Store Team Leader, Bloomington
Jennifer Curtis | Store Team Leader, Greenwood
Teresa Dangelo | Store Team Leader, Spring Mill Pointe
Siera Daniel | English Instructor, The Excel Center – Kokomo
Landon Davidson | Store Team Leader, Anson
Melisa Davis | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Fet Hanie Davis | English Instructor, The Excel Center – Clarksville
Nanyamka Day | New Beginnings Mental Health Counselor, Corporate
Ray De La Haye | Store Team Leader, Franklin
Alexandrea Delashmit | Store Team Leader, Heartland Crossing
Alpha Oumar Diallo | Assembler 2, Tremont Facility
Ryan Dice | Store Team Leader, Crawfordsville
Destiny DiCiurcio | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Westfield
Sheila Dollaske | Senior Director, Strategy & HR Operations, Corporate
Riana Dozier | Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, 38th & Sheridan Facility
BranDon Driver | Regional Director, Retail, Corporate
Alysa Eberhardt | Director, Plant Operations, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Corbin Edom | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Marion
Morgan Edwards | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Clarksville
Corey Emery | Senior Director, Goodwill Education Initiatives, Corporate
Hannah Ernst | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Carey Road
Trelles Evans | Senior Director, Coaching and Reentry, Corporate
Jake Evans | Store Team Leader, Connersville
Amanda Faulkner | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, E. Washington
Bennie Ferguson | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
James Ferrell | Store Team Leader, South Meridian
Phlica Ford | Store Leader, Indy Fresh Market
Robert Ford | Manager, Facilities, Corporate
Brenda Fox | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Westfield
Kaylyn Fox | Store Team Leader, Richmond
Ronald Fries | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Outlet West
Emily Fritsch | Regional Director, Goodwill Education Initiatives, Corporate
Randall Fugate | Department Leader, Outlet South
Erica Gilbert | Store Team Leader, College Park
Amy Gilland | Store Team Leader, Winchester
Melissa Giusti | College and Career Readiness Specialist, The Excel Center – Richmond
Nora Gomez | Assembler 3, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Vincent Gonzalez | Store Team Leader, Grant Line Road
Bridget Gregory | Store Team Leader, Frankfort
Matthew Hacker | Director, AbilityOne and Contracts, Tremont Facility
Includes recipients from Sept. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Congratulations
to those who have advanced in their position at Goodwill!
Paige Hall | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Tiffany Hamilton | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Madison
Nichole Hammond | Department Leader, eCommerce
Larita Hardiman | Store Team Leader, Spring Mill Pointe
Constance Hart | Store Team Leader, Carey Road
Lance Hartle | Store Team Leader, Lafayette South
Julia Hartley | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Spring Mill Pointe
Craig Hatfield | Store Team Leader, Columbus
Jennifer Hatten | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Rushville
Eilis Haviland | Store Team Leader, E. Bloomington
Dallas Helm | Store Team Leader, Greenfield
Brittany Hieston | Store Team Leader 2, Anson
Donald Hinkle | Forklift Driver, Outlet West
Jessie Hizer | Store Team Leader, E. Washington
David Hollomon | Director, Reentry, Corporate
Payton Houk | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, South Meridian
Areal Hughes | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Keystone
Steven Ivers | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Corydon
Catricia Jackson | Store Team Leader, Lawrence
Jamil James | Forklift Driver, Outlet East
Rune Jensen | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Lafayette Road
Mandy Jerrell | Retail Associate, Greensburg
Darwin Jessup | Site Supervisor II, AbilityOne, Commissary
Casie Johnson | Store Team Leader, Spring Mill Pointe
Robert Jones | Store Leader, Frankfort
Abigail Keller | Paraprofessional, The Excel Center – Kokomo
Hailey Keller | Store Team Leader, Greensburg
Kenneth Kennedy | Lencore Assembler, Tremont Facility
Katrina Kimbro | Store Team Leader, W. Carmel
Kacie Klem | Director, The Excel Center – Kokomo
Isaac Klueh | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Vanessa Knight | Store Team Leader 2, Columbus
Rachel Koenig | Store Team Leader 2, Kokomo
Kaitlyn Koons | Store Team Leader, Danville
Jesse Kortea | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Julie Krober | Lead Instructor, The Excel Center – Decatur
Lacie Kuhlmeyer | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Lafayette South
Michael Laliberte | Manager, Transportation, Outlet East
Connor Lallak | Assembler 3, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Ronald Langdon | Assembler 2, Tremont Facility
Zachary Leach | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Paula Lentz | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Southern Plaza
Andrew Leonard | Store Team Leader, E. Bloomington
Sharon Leuck | Store Team Leader, Fishers
Brice Litvan | Store Team Leader, Avon
Corwin Lloyd | Department Leader, Outlet East
Lantz Lockwood | Network Engineer II, Corporate
Steve Lowe | Store Team Leader, Emerson Avenue
Lillie Luckenbill | Store Team Leader, Clarksville
Brittany Madison | Lead Coach, The Excel Center – Shadeland
Chasiti Maines | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Seymour
Jayce Markley | NFP Administrative Coordinator, Nurse-Family Partnership
Brandon Marks | Regional Director, Goodwill Education Initiatives, Corporate
Monique Martin | Line Lead, Tremont Facility
Kristopher Martin | Store Team Leader, Martinsville
Lara Martinez | Lead Coach, The Excel Center – Decatur
Jesus Masumbuko | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Gage Mathias | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Marion
April Mattingly | Acting Director, Children’s Learning Center
Erica McGee | Department Leader, eCommerce
Grady McGee | Senior Director, Contract Manufacturing, Tremont Facility
Koreyha McLay | Retail Purchase Manager, Outlet East
Steven McMakin | Coach, The Excel Center – Clarksville
Andreina Medina | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Heartland Crossing
Karen Mejia | Family Empowerment Coach, Indy Met High School
Miranda Merriman | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Nathaniel Miller | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Grace Miller | Store Team Leader, Lafayette
Billie Mills | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Frankfort
Danielle Moffatt | Coach, The Excel Center – Bloomington
Adonis Moncrief | Site Supervisor I, AbilityOne, Minton-Capehart Federal Building
Stephanie Monroe | Store Team Leader, New Albany
Abrina Moore | Lead Coach, The Excel Center – Shelbyville
Amber Morehead-Allen | Store Team Leader, College Park
Shannon Moss | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, E. Washington
Andrew Mulder | Facilities Project Manager, Corporate
Larry Mullins | Store Team Leader, Noblesville
Dan Murray | Material Handler Lead, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Daryl Murray | Online Curriculum Coordinator, Indy Met High School
Kimberly Murray | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Columbus West
Justin Musgrove | Assistant Principal, Indy Met High School
Olivia Nault | Store Team Leader, Castleton
Andrea Newman | Director, The Excel Center – Muncie
April Norman | Lead Coach, The Excel Center – University Heights
Derrick Norris | Forklift Driver, Outlet East
Rylee Norton | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Franklin
Katrina Nunez | People Analytics and Strategy Manager, Corporate
Pascazia Nyandwi | Assembler 2, Yost Facility
Steven Oblander | Facilities Coordinator, Corporate
Nicholas Ortley | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Muncie
Lakia Osborne | Senior Director, Goodwill Education Initiatives, Corporate
Maria Owens | Store Team Leader 2, Madison
Khalilah Palmer | Regional Director, The Excel Center National Office, Corporate
Philip Pearson | Controlled Manufacturing
Operator I, Yost Facility
Michael Pemberton | Assembler 2, Yost Facility
Mary Peter | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Frankfort
Dominique Pettigrew | Store Team Leader, E 96th St
Demarah Pfeiffer | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Columbus West
Lonnie Piercefield | Assembler 2, Tremont Facility
Benito Plascencia | Manager, Transportation, Outlet East
Sarah Ponzo | Store Team Leader, Spring Mill Pointe
Lyssa Prestage | Store Team Leader 2, Lafayette
Daniel Prewitt | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Castleton
Erin Radaker | Store Team Leader, Castleton
Jared Rains | Senior Director, Risk Management & Facilities, Corporate
Daphne Reecer | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Kokomo West
Brian Reynolds | Team Leader, Commissary
Alyssa Rich | Department Leader, Outlet West
Rebecca Richards | Store Team Leader, Grant Line Road
Hannah Riggle | Store Team Leader, Bedford
Jeffrey Ripberger | Store Team Leader, Connersville
Cory Robinson | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Connersville
Claudia Roche | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Danville
Clayshawn Rudolph | Store Team Leader, E 96th St
Thea Scheblo | College and Career Readiness Specialist, The Excel Center – Kokomo
Feliciana Schraven | Store Leader, Castleton
Nicole Sears | Lead Instructor, The Excel Center – Michigan Street
Christopher Seifers | Store Team Leader 2, Bloomington
Machozi Shabani | Assembler 2, Yost Facility
Jerry Shaw | Supervisor, Facilities Technicians, Corporate
Jennifer Sheffler | Store Leader, Plainfield
Sofia Shine | Manager of Operations, Indy Met High School
Joyce Shortridge | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Speedway
Benjamin Showers | Store Team Leader, Muncie South
Brittany Silen | Store Leader, New Albany
Richenold Silverne | Forklift Driver, Outlet South
Christina Skipworth | Store Team Leader, Spring Mill Pointe
Dishonne Slaughter | Special Education Instructor, The Excel Center – Clarksville
Teresa Smith | Director, Supply Chain, Tremont Facility
Steven Smith | Material Handler, eCommerce
Justin Smith | Store Team Leader, Connersville
Kelly Smith | Store Team Leader, Kokomo
Doffice Smothers | Line Lead, Yost Facility
Tracy Snapp | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Winchester
Stephenie Snow | Director, Account Services, Corporate
David Sosh | Retail Associate, Floyds Knobs
Madeline Spence | College and Career Readiness Specialist, The Excel Center – University Heights
Charlotte Stafford | Lead Teacher, Children’s Learning Center
Da’Vion Stewart | Valuation Associate, eCommerce
Kim Strapulos | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, W. Carmel
Jenette Summers | Store Leader, E. Washington
Ashley Summers | Store Team Leader, Carmel
Lisa Sumpter | Math Instructor, The Excel Center – West
Bridget Sweet | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Lafayette
Karen Swimm | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Outlet West
Maria Sylvester | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, E. Bloomington
Phillip Talley | Forklift and Box Truck Operator, Plainfield Warehouse
Stephanie Tash | Store Team Leader 2, Westfield
Kaitlyn Thalacker | Store Team Leader, Heartland Crossing
Richard Thomas | Forklift and Box Truck Operator, Tremont Facility
Sarah Thomas | Senior Director, The Excel Center National Office, Corporate
Domonique Thompson | Store Team Leader, Castleton
Morufat Tiamiyu | Fulfillment Clerk, Tremont Facility
Daniel Treen | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Danville
Boston Tunis | Store Team Leader, Carey Road
Kristen Turner | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Crawfordsville
Julie Vansyckle | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, College Park
Lizabeth Verkamp | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Muncie South
James Walls | Department Leader, Outlet South
Megan Ward | Multilingual Learner Teacher of Record, The Excel Center – Anderson
Lisa Warner | Nurse Home Visitor, Nurse-Family Partnership
Brent Waugh | Forklift Driver, Clarksville Outlet
Zachary Weatherholt | Forklift Driver, Clarksville Outlet
Megan Welfl | Quality Assurance Inspector, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Sherry Wermuth | Supervisor, Quality Assurance, 38th & Sheridan Facility
Andrew Weston | Operations Analyst, Corporate
Brandi Wheeler | Store Team Leader, Allisonville Road
Jalyn Wheeler | Store Team Leader, Franklin
Danielle White | School Development Director, The Excel Center National Office, Corporate
Keasha White | Store Team Leader, Scottsburg
Gavin Whitham | Controlled Manufacturing Operator I, Yost Facility
Norman Williams | Department Leader, Outlet East
Laskisa Williams | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Lawrence
Kirsten Winburn | Store Team Leader, Plainfield
Shawn Wolfgram | Senior Director, AbilityOne & Contracts, Corporate
Kenneth Wood | Production Planner, Tremont Facility
Domonique Woods | Forklift Driver, Outlet West
Ryli Wratten | Store Team Leader, Greenwood
William Wynn | Shopgoodwill Product Specialist, Clarksville Outlet
Crystal Zepeda | Family Empowerment Coach, Indy Met High School
Sylvia Zimmerman | Store Team Leader, Emerson Avenue
Indianapolis, IN Permit 879 1635 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46222-3852
317.524.4313 | goodwillindy.org
Do you know a Goodwill employee who has made healthy lifestyle changes (physical, mental, financial or educational?) Nominate them for a Healthy Employee Recognition Opportunity Award! (Self-nominations are also accepted.)
Talk to your Nurse Health Coach to learn more, or contact the Benefits and Wellness team with questions at 317.524.4426 or benefits@goodwillindy.org.
Join your co-workers on Workplace by Meta, a communications tool that allows you to receive and share work-related information via a familiar social media platform that is not tied to your personal Facebook account. You can access Workplace through the mobile app or your desktop computer.
Why should you claim your account?
• Share your team’s successes, and help us build a stronger organization.
• Stay informed about what’s happening throughout the organization.
• Give shout-outs to your team and co-workers.
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• Connect with like-minded co-workers.
Download the Workplace by Meta app on the Apple App Store or Google Play, and claim your account today! If you have questions about your Workplace account, contact Sam Stockman at sam.stockman@goodwillindy.org.