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HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 14, 2023) — Goodwill Keystone Area today announced the appointment of Drew Iwaskow as Chief People Officer, a new strategic leadership role that will oversee multiple functions within the organization.
As Chief People Officer, Iwaskow will focus on enhancing the hiring process, improving employee retention rates, fostering ongoing employee development and driving overall growth within Goodwill Keystone Area’s workforce. He will oversee Goodwill’s Employee Relations, Benefits Compensation, and Training and Organizational Development teams, and also direct the organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging initiatives.
“With more than 25 years of extensive experience leading human resources across corporate functions and field operations, Drew brings a wealth of expertise to this vital role,” Goodwill Keystone Area President and CEO Ed Lada said. “His proven track record in human resources leadership, coupled with his commitment to building inclusive workplaces, will be critical in driving the organization’s continued success.”
Prior to joining Goodwill Keystone Area, Iwaskow served as Vice President of Human Resources at Dollar Tree Corp. where he led the organization’s human capital strategies that resulted in dynamic and inclusive work environments. Previous roles included Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Tailored Brands (Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Bank), Vice President of Marketplace Human Resources at Toys “R” Us, and human resources leadership positions at PetSmart, Party City and Staples.
Iwaskow holds a master’s degree in organizational behavior, systems and analytics from New York University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Alliance University.
About Goodwill Keystone Area
Goodwill Keystone Area serves 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, revenue generated from the sale of donated goods in its retail stores and online auction site directly supports Goodwill’s mission to advance sustainability so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish. Goodwill fulfills this mission by recycling donations into training, paychecks and careers. Additionally, as America’s original recycler, environmental sustainability has been central to Goodwill’s mission since its founding. To learn more, visit yourgoodwill.org.
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Goodwill Unveils Redesigned Website to Enhance User Experience and Showcase Mission-Driven Initiatives
HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 1, 2023) — Goodwill Keystone Area, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing sustainability in the communities it serves, today announced the launch of its newly redesigned website, yourgoodwill.org. The revamped site, developed in collaboration with Sharp Innovations, is designed to provide a modern look and feel, streamline user navigation, and foster a deeper connection to the organization’s mission.
The revamped website offers an enhanced experience for both loyal supporters and new visitors, with easy-to-find information, user-friendly tools, and comprehensive summaries on the wide array of programs and services Goodwill offers throughout its 22-county territory. Key features include:
“We are thrilled to unveil our redesigned website, which embodies the essence of Goodwill’s mission-driven efforts and the compassion that drives our work,” said Mark McGaffin, Goodwill Keystone Area’s Director of Communications and Marketing. “Through this revitalized platform, we look to provide a seamless experience for those looking to donate and shop at our stores and, at the same time, highlight the work we are doing to advance sustainability in our communities so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish.”
About Goodwill Keystone Area
Goodwill Keystone Area serves 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, revenue generated from the sale of donated goods in its retail stores and online auction site directly supports Goodwill’s mission to advance sustainability so that individuals and families can thrive and flourish. Goodwill fulfills this mission by recycling donations into training, paychecks, and careers. Additionally, as America’s original recycler, environmental sustainability has been central to Goodwill’s mission since its founding. To learn more, visit yourgoodwill.org.
Ed Lada Excited to Propel Goodwill’s Mission Forward
New CEO eyes workforce training initiatives in emerging technologies for the jobs of tomorrow
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Mark McGaffin
P: 717-525-6205
C: 717-743-5827
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Jan. 13, 2022) – Sometimes one moment changes a life. For newly appointed Goodwill Keystone Area President and CEO Edward Lada Jr., it was attending a Goodwill awards ceremony honoring achievements of people with significant disabilities in Louisiana.
“I saw people who had every excuse or reason not to succeed and yet they had overcome and were thriving,” Lada recalled. “I witnessed pure joy in their families and friends as their loved ones earned their recognition, and the transformative impact that opportunity and success can have on a person and their family.
“In that moment, I realized there are rarely any excuses or barriers that you cannot overcome to achieve the most in life. When one overcomes and succeeds, we all succeed.”
Something fundamentally shifted for Lada that day. It changed his personal and professional relationships. He saw the potential in everyone. From that day forward, Lada was hooked on the mission of Goodwill. He knew he could take his entrepreneurial skills and business acumen and propel the Goodwill movement to a new level.
Earlier in his career at Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Louisiana while achieving his master’s degree in public administration, Lada developed a vision for Goodwill focused on modern and advanced technology and streamlined operational efficiencies. Most importantly though, he casted a vision to provide training opportunities for employees to gain skills that would be essential for the workforce of tomorrow.
Lada took that vision with him to Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas (MoKan) in Kansas City where he served as CEO. There he launched an initiative to train individuals in emerging technologies. To Lada, the future state of technology is what will allow people to discover their fullest potential and adapt for the future through the power of work.
“I am excited to build upon the great work Goodwill Keystone Area has done for more than 70 years and to help this organization be on the leading edge of workforce opportunities that train individuals in future technologies for the jobs of tomorrow,” Lada said. “We have an amazing opportunity to grow our tremendous legacy by leveraging technologies in an ethical and responsible way, to augment the human experience, not replace it, and to create truly integrated and inclusive work environments.”
Before joining Goodwill Keystone Area, Lada served as president and CEO of MoKan Goodwill. Here, he led an historic financial turnaround for the organization and also launched a successful initiative to train those with barriers to employment in cutting-edge technologies. Lada joined MoKan Goodwill after serving as vice president of contracts and facility management services for Goodwill of Southeastern Louisiana.
Prior to launching his Goodwill career, Lada was director of business development and operations with Jani-King, one of the nation’s largest commercial cleaning providers.
Lada holds a master’s degree in public administration and ethical leadership from Marist College and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Loyola University of Louisiana.
About Goodwill Keystone Area
Goodwill Keystone Area serves 22 counties in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. As a nonprofit, 75 percent of revenue is generated from the sale of donated goods in its retail stores and online auction site. This revenue directly supports Goodwill’s mission to help people with barriers to employment build skills, find jobs and grow careers. To learn more, visit yourgoodwill.org.
RCPA would like to wish long-term member Linda London of Goodwill Keystone Area the best on her retirement! Ms. London has worked at Goodwill Keystone Area for 33 years. She had many roles in Mission Services during those 33 years, including her most recent work as the Mental Health/Intellectual Disability (MH/ID) Compliance Monitor.