Adrian Gessen, SVP of Organizational Development at Goodwill
Recorded live from SHRM25 in San Diego, host Tony Buffum sits down with Adrian Gessen, SVP of Organizational Development at Goodwill, to explore how technology and mission-driven leadership intersect…
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Recorded live from SHRM25 in San Diego, host Tony Buffum sits down with Adrian Gessen, SVP of Organizational Development at Goodwill, to explore how technology and mission-driven leadership intersect in the nonprofit sector. Adrian shares how Goodwill’s federated model empowers communities through the power of work, why donations fuel their mission, and how tailored benefits can meet the diverse needs of employees.
They also discuss Goodwill’s partnership with Refresh, which functions as a “super app” to consolidate benefits, increase engagement, and provide meaningful rewards. From workforce development to community partnerships, Adrian highlights how technology is helping Goodwill strengthen impact, measure engagement, and scale services for those who need it most.
They discuss how to double engagement with benefits, reduce 95% of manual HR effort, and maintain employer branding long after an employee leaves. The conversation also covers the importance of staying connected with alumni, simplifying change management, and creating technology that supports, not replaces, the human side of HR.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Goodwill and Refresh
02:54 The Mission of Goodwill
06:02 The Role of Technology in Social Enterprises
08:42 Measuring Impact and Engagement
11:28 Future Directions for Goodwill
14:33 Conclusion and Call to Action
Follow Up Material & Links
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