Goodwill-Easter Seals
Serving People
Eliminating barriers to
work and independence
since 1919
Serving Minnesota for nearly 100 years as a leader in workforce development, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota provides education, job training and placement services to eliminate barriers to work and independence. Revenue from 50 retail stores, along with other contributions, supports programs throughout MN. Our “donate-shop-reuse-educate-employ” model diverts over 60M pounds from landfills annually and brings us one step closer to a world where everyone experiences the power of work.
Our vision
A world where everyone experiences the power of work.
Our mission
To eliminate barriers to work and independence.
Our values
Our efforts are guided by a core set of values that steer our everyday decisions to fulfill our mission in the community:
- Accountability
- Celebration
- Communication
- Continuous Improvement
- Contribution
- Relationships
Public policy & Advocacy
We believe all people have the right to work and our organization regularly advocates on behalf of people with barriers to work and independence. Every year we make progress in advancing workforce-related public policy, engaging with 100+ elected officials on public policy objectives and participating in events at the state capitol. GESMN is a member of the MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and the MN Second Chance Coalition.
our leadership
Michael Wirth-Davis,
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Brent Babcock,
Chief Sales &
Marketing Officer
Jinah Chernivec,
Chief Human Resources
& Risk Officer
Sheila Olson,
Chief Services and
Programs Officer
Jeff Uecker,
Chief Financial Officer
Mary Jones,
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Our Board Members
Joseph M. Barsky III, MBA (ex-officio)
Chair, Goodwill-Easter Seals Foundation
Margaret Camp, MBA, JD ('20)
Vice President of Product Development,
Wolters Kluwer
Kortney Cartwright ('21)
District Branch Manager, BCForward
Nicole Cooper, MPH, DrPH ('21)
Senior Director of Mission Distinction & Corporate Social Responsibility,
UnitedHealthcare
Debbie Galka, MBA ('20)
Chief Risk Officer, US Bank
Jerome Hamilton, MBA, CPIM, ('20) - Chair
Chief Executive Officer, Open Therapeutics
Peggy L. Kadlec ('21)
Chief Human Resources Officer/Executive,
Cadré Incorporated
Shawn Lewis ('20)
Consultant, Human Services & Workforce Dev.
Rachel Lockett, ('21) Secretary
Chief Information Officer, Pohlad Companies /Marquette Companies
Wendy Mahling, JD, ('19) Vice Chair
Lead Assistant General Counsel, Xcel Energy
Sita Morantz ('20)
President and Chief Administrative Officer,
Marsden Holding L.L.C.
Leslie Olson, MBA ('20)
Director, Field Reporting & Analytics,
Thrivent Financial
Valerie Snyder, JD ('22)
Supervising Attorney, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Ed Surko, MBA ('21)
Vice President, Deposit and Payment Solutions,
US Bank
Richard Tepe, MBA, CFA ('19) Treasurer
Finance Director, Investor Relations,
Target Corporation
Michael Vinyon, JD ('19)
Regional Managing Director, The Wells Fargo Private Bank
Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA (ex-officio)
President & CEO,
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota
Other Key Contacts
Melissa Becker
Marketing & Communications Director
Nick Adams
Retail Stores Senior Director
Ann Marie Courchene
Donated Goods Operations Senior Director
Have a question? Contact us.
Deanna Smiley Gulliford
Public Affairs Director
Shannon Schaaf
Philanthropy Director
Chris Simon
Logistics and Facilities Director
FACTS AND MYTHS
-
Nonprofit Serving Our Community
- Goodwill-Easter Seals is one of Minnesota’s longest operating 501(c)(3) nonprofits, founded in 1919 to help people experience the power of work.
- The average unemployment duration in the U.S. is over 25 weeks and the unemployment rate is 60% higher for people with disabilities. The poverty rate for families of color is up to triple the rate of white families. Our 1-1 employment services help narrow these gaps.
-
Donate. Shop. Support Our Mission.
- Donating and shopping at our stores helps us connect four people with jobs every day.
- “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.
- We employ over 2,000 people and everyone earns more than the MN minimum wage.
- Our average job training graduate earns over 30% above minimum wage.
-
A Greener Minnesota
- Minnesotans generate over 2.9 million tons of waste for landfills every year.
- Our “donate-shop-reuse-educate-employ” model diverts over 60 million pounds from landfills annually, which is equivalent to 75 Boeing 747 jumbo jets!
- We lead the Twin Cities as a provider of electric car charging stations, and over 60% of our stores are Energy Star rated.
-
Leading by Example
- Your aunt’s Facebook feed is great, but her facts on Goodwill might only be so-so. We have nine 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator and meet all Charities Review Council standards.
- CEO Michael Wirth-Davis, DPA has led the organization for 28 years. He teaches and volunteers his time speaking to various groups (he doesn’t have a yacht or get paid millions of dollars).
CERTIFICATIONS and ACCREDITATIONS
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota holds many certifications and accreditations to ensure transparency with donors and the highest level of service to our program participants. Nationally, Goodwill is rated an "A" grade by Charity Watch, and GESMN just earned its ninth consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, a distinction obtained by only 2% of charities they review nationwide.
In 2016 and 2017, Americans told the World Value Index that Goodwill is the brand they trust more than any other. The World Value Index is based on a nationally representative, comprehensive survey of 3,000 Americans on perception, awareness and behaviors in response to the purpose and mission of organizations and brands. Download a copy of the 2017 report.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the Federal Tax ID: 41-0706171.