Angela Adams departs Goodwill Industries

Angela Adams, the chief communication and diversity officer for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metropolitan Chicago and Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metropolitan Chicago, recently left the nonprofit organization. Her last day at the nonprofit was May 12.

Adams has been with the organization since 2016, initially as Director of Community Relations, and then as Vice President of Community Relations. In January 2021, Adams was promoted to her most recent leadership position.

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin & Metropolitan Chicago is one of the largest Goodwill organizations of North America. It served a 23 county area, and as of 2021 had 5,400 workers. The nonprofit was formed using a social business model, which provides employment and support services for those who are struggling to find work.

Adams sent an email to Goodwill Industries' employees saying, "I am grateful for this opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity with you." "I'm immensely proud of the transformative work we've accomplished together to ensure Goodwill workers and job seekers in the community have more equitable employment options. "Our collective impact creates life-changing moments" for many people in the state and region.

Adams told the Milwaukee Business Journal that she was not sure when a career change like hers is the right time, but it was a personal decision. She says her faith is the driving force behind all she does.

She said, "It's time for me to take a pause from all the wonderful work we've done at Goodwill together and over the course my career. I'll just pause to reflect and rest while I still have time and the opportunity to do that."

Adams was proudest of her ability as a trailblazer and problem-solver within Goodwill Industries. She played a key role in the creation of Goodwill's enterprise-wide strategic plan, which focuses on three goals: people, culture, and growth, and the building of a new Community Relations function.

Adams was also responsible for Goodwill's Community Day which celebrated its 5th anniversary this year. Adams also wrote Goodwill's mission statement: "Connecting people to employment, preparing them for life." She also created the employee volunteering initiative Acts of Goodwill.

In an email sent to Goodwill Industries employees, Jackie Hallberg, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries said: "She [Adams] helped position Goodwill in our community as a leader in workforce development. Her contributions to drive and clarify our missions are immeasurable."

Adams doesn't know what her next career move will be at this point. She will reflect on her options and take time to consider them.

Adams is the recipient of the 2018 Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence Award. She founded the Sherman Phoenix Foundation, and the African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee. Tony Evers has also named Adams to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

Hallberg wrote in an email to the staff that the organization was working on a plan of transition following Adams' departure. Anita Guerrero, vice president of corporate communication and brand management at Goodwill Industries, will fill the position in the interim. Guerrero is a Goodwill Industries employee since September 2022.