MARY ANN GILMER

Workforce development and community betterment are key goals of Roanoke-based Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. And Mary Ann Gilmer, the nonprofit’s chief strategy and people officer, is furthering its mission through GoodCare, a medical workforce training program.

The program connects Roanoke Valley residents to workforce training in health care — something that has become even more important amid the COVID-19 pandemic and high industry turnover. The program aids participants with support for needs such as child care and transportation.

To bolster GoodCare, Gilmer built relationships with community colleges, adult education centers, area nonprofits and other stakeholders. Though the program originated from a federal grant six years ago, Goodwill plans to fund the program’s continuation.

Among her other duties, Gilmer has been responsible for executing the organization’s strategic plan and helping Goodwill pivot to virtual operations for clients and staff amid the pandemic.

“We provided coaching and support to [employees and clients] for emergency assistance as they needed it,” Gilmer says. “Just a friendly voice on the other end of the phone to say, ‘We’re still here, you’re still a part of our organization.’”

After COVID-19 restrictions lessened, 76% of laid-off employees in the Goodwill’s retail stores returned, and staffing is back to “pre-pandemic levels,” according to the nonprofit’s president and CEO, Richmond Vincent Jr.

Gilmer reflects fondly on the partnerships the organization has built in her region and the local enthusiasm Goodwill has seen for its goal to eliminate poverty. “We were, I think, really amazed at the support when we socialized our strategic plan,” Gilmer says. “People are hungry for Goodwill to do more.”