Case Study: Diversity, equity and inclusion at Goodwill®

Goodwill serves a diverse population spanning all types of cultural backgrounds. That means DE&I is in Goodwill’s DNA. The organization intentionally meets with community organizations and build relationships to ensure employment, training and support, equitable opportunities and economic mobility for everyone.

In this session, we’ll hear about Goodwill’s DE&I strategy from Lauren Lawson-Zilai, senior director of public relations for Goodwill Industries International and Angela Adams, chief communications and chief diversity officer for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin and Metropolitan Chicago. You’ll hear how they:

• Developed a DEI toolkit that incorporates their roadmap, policies, measurement plan and best practices for all areas of the business
• Dealt with community and media backlash regarding in-store employee relations
• Developed a DEI task force and Conference of Executive DEI Steering Committee to drive diversity efforts
• Focus on fostering diversity and inclusion from within to retain and grow talent and build it into the overall strategic plan—not a one-off initiative