Updates from Ryan

It’s hard to believe that 2025 is coming to an end, but I’m even more excited about what lies ahead in 2026. In a time of real uncertainty for many in our community, I have strong confidence in the future because of all of you. Your commitment and passion in your roles are what make Goodwill so effective at helping people build lives of possibility and purpose. Thank you for another truly impactful year.

One tangible measure of our impact is the number of individuals we have equipped, put another way, served this year. More than 15,000 people have benefited from Goodwill’s services, programs, and employment. That level of engagement is why we achieved our 2030 strategic goal five years ahead of schedule. Once again, that is because of you.

Internally, our focus on our ICARE values continues to shape a culture we can all be proud of. In our most recent Vision survey, nearly half of our 1,200 employees responded, and 98% said they are proud to work at Goodwill and support our vision. That is the highest mark we’ve received in the four years we’ve conducted this survey, and it means a great deal to me. At the same time, we know our work is not finished. We will continue to act on your feedback in the year ahead. Stay tuned.

Specifically in the survey, we consistently receive feedback about our health insurance. Our transition to Sidecar over the past year has brought a lot of changes. We have learned a great deal and will continue to learn. A few weeks ago, I attended a meeting with our Work and Community Services team, and one employee shared that she is taking better care of herself because she is now taking the time to understand her medical services, thanks to the process Sidecar put in place. Yes, it is more involved and can take more time to navigate, but what is more important to invest time in than your own health?

As you enjoy the holidays with family and friends, if you are looking for gifts, don’t forget your 50% employee discount at our stores. You may even find holiday decorations to make the season feel even more festive.

I appreciate you, and my gratitude for what you do every day is immense. Enjoy the holidays, and I look forward to the year ahead together.

Ryan

Ryan Burgess
President and CEO