Attention Employers!
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota can help connect you to trained workers in a variety of high-demand fields. Not only do we help prepare people for work, we can help your company build a hiring process that focuses on skills/capabilities rather than credentials.
Leadership
Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brent Babcock
Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Jinah Chernivec
Chief Human Resources & Risk Officer
Mary Jones
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Sheila Olson
Chief Services & Programs Office
Jeff Uecker
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brent Babcock
Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Jinah Chernivec
Chief Human Resources & Risk Officer
Mary Jones
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Sheila Olson
Chief Services & Programs Office
Jeff Uecker
Chief Financial Officer
Board Members
Stephanie Albert, JD (’25) Secretary
EVP, Chief Legal Officer, Stratacor; and President, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation
Anthony Bass, MDiv, MBA (’25)
Senior Executive Director,
American Cancer Society ‐ Minnesota
Paulette Baukol (’25)
CEO,
INDiGO Solutions
Lauren Beecham Henry (ex-officio)
Chair, Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation
Jennell Bilek, Pharm D, JD, PhD (’27)
Equity Partner,
Carlson Caspers
Kortney Cartwright ('27) Vice Chair
District Branch Manager, BCForward
Marcella De La Torre, EdD (’27)
Chief Administrative Officer,
Minneapolis Area REALTORS®
George Dickson (’26)
Vice President, Macquarie Group
Andrew Feikema ('25)
Senior Vice President/Relationship Manager,
US Bank Corporate Banking
Mike Finger, MA ('25) Treasurer
Founder, ExitOasis.com
Douglas Guilherme, MBA (’27)
Vice President Supply Chain US and Canada,
The Hershey Company
Leanne Halling, MBA, PHR (’28)
Senior Corporate Recruiter, Winnebago Industries
Tim Hibscher (’28)
Weekend Host, Lyngblomsten Apartments
Jesse Johnson, MPM, MBA (’27)
Chief of Staff, Food Solutions Americas,
Cargill
Linda Lawrence (’27)
Vice President, Talent Management,
Marsden Services
Karin McCabe (’27)
McGough Construction (retired)
Bill McNeill (’27)
Executive Director-Client Advisor,
J.P. Morgan Funds
Julia Miller, MA (’28)
Workforce Development & Equity,
Hennepin County
Jacinta Moss (’27)
Family Peer Support Specialist, Ramsey County Children's Mental Health Collaborative
Yalcin Oksal, MBA (’28)
Vice President, Commercial Strategy & Operations, Ecolab
Elizabeth Ortloff (’27)
SVP, Senior Compliance & Audit Officer,
EntreBank
Charla Sheffield, MBA (’25)
Community Advocate
Valerie Krzywkowski Snyder, JD ('25)
Supervising Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Sanjay Terakanambi, MS, MBA (’27)
Technology Strategy Consultant,
Prerana Technology Strategy Consulting
Nina Terrero Groth, MA (’28)
Lead Pipeline Manager – Target Accelerators, Target Corporation
Morgan Truscott (’27)
Executive Director, JP Morgan Private Bank
Ivan Winship (’25)
Vice President of Finance and Administration, Minnesota Orchestra
Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA (ex-officio)
President & CEO, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota
Key Contacts
Melissa Becker
Director, Marketing & Communications
Dr. Keith Brooks
Sr. Director, Services and Programs
Ann Marie Courchene
Sr. Director, Retail Operations
Interim Sr. Director, Retail Stores
Naomi Prabhakar
Director, Development
Dan Schultz
Director, Aftermarket & Logistics
Deanna Smiley Gulliford
Director, Advocacy & Public Policy
News & Media
Recent News
National Voter Registration Day
POW Campaign Expands Digital Literacy Services
Virtual Reality Career Exploration
Lakeville Goodwill grand opening on January 19, 2024
Goodwill Industries International ranks among the nation’s top 10 charities
Michael Wirth-Davis receives J.D. Robins Jr. Distinguished Career Award
Resources
- 2023 GESMN Annual Report - webpage | PDF download
- 2022 GESMN Annual Report | PDF download
- 2021 GESMN Annual Report | PDF download
- 2020 GESMN Annual Report | PDF download
- Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota (GESMN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers job training and customized career support to eliminate barriers to work and independence. Every year we serve over 5,500 people in our community who deserve equitable access to jobs and stable careers. We have nealy 20 programs that provide customized job support, training and resources to help people secure and retain employment.
- Our retail stores, outlets, e-commerce and aftermarket operations handle over 75 million donated items annually to provide funding for services and programs that eliminate barriers to work and independence.
- Our commitment to sustainability includes electric car charging stations at 60% of our stores and partnership with 160 Goodwill agencies that divert over 4.5 billion pounds from landfills every year.
- President & CEO Dr. Michael Wirth-Davis has led the organization for over 30 years. He teaches and volunteers his time speaking to various groups; his compensation, like all nonprofit CEOs, is available in our Form 990.
- Employment is multi-faceted and looks different for everyone, and not all job seekers have access to the same start line. We are intentional about serving populations deeply impacted by the changing economy and rising costs, who need a little support to build thriving careers and stable families. We also help dozens of employer partners develop a pipeline of trained workers with diverse skills and backgrounds to fill essential roles.
- Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers job training and customized career support to eliminate barriers to work and independence.
- Many people know Goodwill stores, but don't know store proceeds support nearly 20 programs that help job seekers access free training and reach higher levels of employment.
- Every year Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota serves over 5,500 people in our community who deserve equitable access to career opportunities.
- Last year GESMN provided 5,508 community resources to address common job seeker needs like transportation, food, clothing, childcare and more.
- The average wage for GESMN participants who used services and secured jobs is $18.47, over 70% higher than Minnesota's minimum wage.
- Reuse and recycling operations contribute to Minnesota's environmental sustainability and employ nearly 2,000 people in our community.
- Proceeds from thrift retail, e-commerce, grants and financial contributions fund nearly 20 customized services that help Minnesotans get equitable access to jobs, create stable careers and realize the power of work.
- Shopping and donating items divert over 65 million pounds from Minnesota landfills annually and have helped GESMN connect people to jobs since 1919. Follow @goodwillmn for the latest news.
Download this footage of Goodwill-Easter Seals stores to use as needed.
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About Us
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that offers job training and customized career support to eliminate barriers to work and independence. Reuse and recycling operations contribute to Minnesota’s environmental sustainability and employ nearly 2,000 people in our community. Proceeds from thrift retail, e-commerce, grants and financial contributions fund our nearly 20 customized services that help Minnesotans get equitable access to jobs, create stable careers and advance in the workplace. Shopping and donating items divert over 65 million pounds from local landfills annually and have helped us connect people to jobs since 1919. Follow @goodwillmn on social media for the latest news.
Media Contact
Email marketing@gesmn.org with questions
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Donating items and shopping at Goodwill thrift stores and e-commerce helps connect people to jobs. Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501c3 nonprofit and proceeds from retail operations support services for people seeking equitable access to jobs.
We eliminate barriers to work and independence with customized training and career support to help people unlock their full potential. We have nearly 20 programs to help job seekers access training, prepare for work and find job opportunities that lead to future advancement. Removing common barriers to employment like lack of transportation, childcare, healthcare and fines/fees helps people gain independence. Get more information.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota has stores in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We divert over 65 million pounds from landfills annually to help keep Minnesota green; families, fashionistas, thrift lovers and more can waste less and get more at Goodwill.
Unauthorized filming is prohibited in our stores, outlets and services locations out of respect for the privacy of our associates, customers and the people we serve. We reserve the right to enforce this policy.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is an affiliate of both Goodwill Industries International and Easterseals Disability Services. We offer job training, placement and related services to people with disabilities or other barriers to independence and employment. Goodwill Industries International and Easterseals Disability Services have separate affiliate offices in most states and the two national parent organizations are not affiliated with each other.
Yes! Volunteers play key roles in our success. For more information, visit our volunteers page.
Yes! Contributors make it possible for GESMN to serve over 5,500 Minnesotans annually who need support in removing employment barriers to build thriving careers. Financial gifts and partnerships provide essential/customized career services, which range from digital literacy skills and educational credentials to career navigation and strategies for long-term job retention. Learn more.
Our donors, customers and community are generous! Store associates will ask customers if they want to round up their purchase total, as those funds support nearly 20 programs we offer to help connect people to careers.
Shopping FAQ
Sign up for our emails to get the inside scoop on events and promotions delivered to your inbox. In addition, check out the Goodwill promotions and sales calendar. Visit our thrift tips page often to get the latest sales news!
View our donation page for a complete list of items we accept and find a location near you.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) organization that transforms your donations into career resources, training and jobs for people with disabilities and other barriers to work. Watch our short video and learn how our unique "donate-shop-reuse-employ" model diverts over 65M pounds from landfills annually and helps connect people to jobs every day.
We are always hiring! View our current job openings.
Our donors, customers and community are generous! Store associates ask customers if they'd like to round up their purchase total to help support our nearly 20 programs that help people connect to careers.
We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. We offer a 14-day exchange policy with a receipt and tags attached (we do not offer refunds or accept checks).
Donations stock our stores to support our mission, but there are costs to get that lamp from your trunk onto a shelf. An attendant unloads donations, processors sort & price items and cashiers help customers. It takes nearly 3 hours of staffing to process 50 items and we stock 1,000+ new items daily in every store!
We also have expenses like rent, lighting and cooling to make your shopping experience clean and comfortable. Many items start at just $1.99 and we offer promotions and sales every week. Visit gesmn.org/signup so you don’t miss savings!
GESMN operates Goodwill stores in the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota & western Wisconsin, Goodwill outlets in Brooklyn Park, St. Paul and Chaska wholesale. Search for a store location.
Unauthorized filming is prohibited in our stores, outlets and services locations out of respect for the privacy of our associates, customers and the people we serve. We reserve the right to enforce this policy.
Facts & Myths
Goodwill is widely known and respected as a nonprofit that funds job training and employment services through the sales of donated items. Because our brand is internationally known and been around for over a decade, sometimes people are misinformed about who we are.
Next time you see a friend perpetuating these common hoax topics, please share the facts:
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Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization, not a for-profit company like other thrift stores in our market.
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“Why do you sell things that you get for free?” Donations stock stores to support our mission, but there are many costs to get that lamp from your trunk onto a shelf.
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We employ nearly 2,000 people in our community and all employees earn more than the MN minimum wage.
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Our local retail stores, outlets, e-commerce and aftermarket operations handle over 75 million donated items annually to provide funding for services and programs that eliminate barriers to work and independence.
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The viral “Ryan Muncy” story originated in 2017 and has been re-posted via social channels as new first-person posting purporting to be Mr. Muncy’s parent. This incident did not happen in Minnesota, Wisconsin or at our stores.
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Another rumor nearly a decade old falsely claims Mark Curran is president of Goodwill Industries International and makes millions of dollars. See Goodwill Industries International's page for facts, not rumors.
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Our commitment to sustainability includes electric car charging stations at 60% of our stores and partnership with 160 Goodwill agencies that collectively divert over 4.5 billion pounds from landfills every year.
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President & CEO Dr. Michael Wirth-Davis has led the organization for over 30 years. He teaches and volunteers his time speaking to various groups (he doesn’t have a yacht or get paid millions of dollars). His compensation, like all nonprofit CEOs is available in our Form 990.