With all of the upheaval happening in the world, we could use some uplifting and positive news. To offer a ray of hope, in an otherwise dark time, we turned to Steve Preston, the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International.

For nearly 120 years, Goodwill has been a leading workforce provider, helping people empower themselves with the skills and job support services they need to thrive. Goodwill, among other philanthropic endeavors, helps individuals and communities build brighter futures through the power of work.

The organization is usually thought of as the thrift shop. However, Goodwill offers much more. The iconic nonprofit is a major provider of workforce development and skills training. In a wide-ranging interview, Preston shared the organization’s mission. In collaboration with employers and partners, Goodwill helps underserved individuals obtain training and upskilling. In this new tech-driven economy, Preston is focused on teaching digital skills, so that people can find a good job and develop long-term careers.

As technology is the dominant trend for the foreseeable future, it's important for folks to at least learn the basics to become competitive in this new economy. To future-proof the longevity of your career, you need to accept this reality and take actions to ensure that you acquire the necessary skills and tools to keep up with the fast-moving, online digital world.

Goodwill, in partnership with Google and other companies and government officials, will host the Rising Together Action Summit taking place on Monday, May 9th. If you would like to attend the event virtually, please email [email protected].