Elevate Ep 60: Leading Goodwill: Kent Kramer President/CEO of Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana

In this special episode of the Elevate Podcast, Jason sits down with Kent Kramer, President and CEO of Goodwill Legacy Group, to explore the leadership journey, innovative programs, technology, and community impact behind one of the region’s most recognized nonprofit organizations. Kent shares how a career that began in retail with Sam’s Club and Kmart eventually brought him to Goodwill in 2002. What initially looked like another career opportunity quickly became something much bigger after an unexpected encounter with a high school friend showed Kent firsthand how employment and support could transform someone’s independence. Kent discusses The Excel Center, which gives adults another opportunity to earn a high school diploma and career credentials, as well as Nurse-Family Partnership, which connects nurses with first-time mothers and their children during critical early years. He also explains how Goodwill uses revenue from its retail operations to invest back into programs that create opportunity and strengthen communities. Kent also shares his philosophy on building culture and finding leaders who have both “a heart for the mission” and “a mind for the business.” Episode Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Elevate 00:57 Meet Kent Kramer, President & CEO of Goodwill Legacy Group 01:43 Growing Up in Indiana and Discovering Leadership 03:20 Starting a Career With Sam’s Club 04:27 Raising Your Hand for Opportunity 06:28 Returning to Indiana and Joining Goodwill 08:34 The Moment Goodwill Became More Than a Job 11:22 What Goodwill Really Does 12:36 The Excel Center and Adult Education 14:06 Nurse-Family Partnership and Supporting Families 17:00 Goodwill’s Broader Community Impact 22:01 Where Goodwill Donations and Revenue Really Go 25:21 How Technology Is Transforming Goodwill 27:05 AI, Digital Outreach and Reaching More People 29:56 Technology, Growth and the Meaning of Community 30:26 Expanding Into Illinois and Puerto Rico 32:12 Building One Goodwill and a Strong Culture 32:40 “A Heart for the Mission, a Mind for the Business” 35:03 Life Outside the CEO Role 36:19 Kent’s Next Big Title: Grandpa Subscribe to Braden Business Systems, and continue to tune into the Elevate Podcast for more conversations with leaders who are driving change and elevating organizations across our communities The Elevate Podcast is powered by Braden Business Systems, hosted by Jason Ulm, and produced by Lauren Knauer. Keywords: Goodwill, Goodwill Legacy Group, Kent Kramer, Kent Kramer Goodwill, Goodwill CEO, Elevate Podcast, Braden Business Systems, leadership podcast, CEO podcast, business leadership, nonprofit leadership, nonprofit innovation, purpose driven leadership, community impact, workforce development, adult education, The Excel Center, Excel Center Goodwill, Nurse Family Partnership, Goodwill Indiana, Goodwill Indianapolis, Indiana business leaders, Indiana leadership, technology in nonprofits, AI in nonprofits, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, business technology, technology leadership, organizational culture, company culture, mission driven organization, social enterprise, nonprofit technology, nonprofit growth, community development, career development, workforce education, Goodwill stores, Goodwill mission, Goodwill programs