Celebrating the Heart of Goodwill: 2025 Teammate Recognition
June 7, 2026
At Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska, our mission is powered by people. Every day, across our stores, programs, and communities, our teammates show up with compassion, dedication, and a shared commitment to building better lives.
Each year, we take time to recognize those who go above and beyond—those who live our values and make a meaningful impact on the individuals we serve and on each other. Our 2025 Teammate Recognition celebration was a powerful reminder that the true strength of Goodwill lies in the people behind the mission.
Living Our Values Every Day
Goodwill’s work is guided by a strong foundation of values—Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Stewardship, Learning, Teamwork, and Entrepreneurial Spirit. These values come to life through teammates who lead with purpose, create welcoming environments, and take pride in serving others.
This year’s top honors highlight what it truly means to embody these values:
- Spirit of Goodwill Award: Darlyn Ortez
- Leadership Excellence Award: Jazmin Vera
These individuals exemplify the compassion, leadership, and commitment that define Goodwill at its best.
Recognizing Excellence Across Our Organization
Our Employee of the Quarter recipients represent the strength and diversity of our organization—leaders and team members making an impact across multiple communities:
- Quarter 1: Ashley Corbett (North Platte)
- Quarter 2: Lindsay Suchanek (Grand Island) and Brian Priess (Grand Island)
- Quarter 3: Veronica Del Real (Alliance) and Kurtis Gierhan (Hastings)
- Quarter 4: Jenni Ramirez Salgado and Sara Hecht (Lexington)
These teammates were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond—supporting coworkers, mentoring others, and helping drive success at every level of the organization.
The Power of Leadership and Teamwork
The pinnacle of our recognition program is the Employee of the Year Award, presented this year to Brian Priess. Brian’s leadership, consistency, and dedication to his team have made a lasting impact on both his colleagues and the participants we serve.
We also celebrate the Store of the Year, awarded to the Lexington Retail Store. This team demonstrated exceptional performance, collaboration, and commitment to delivering an outstanding customer and mission experience.
Celebrating Milestones and Years of Service
In addition to performance-based awards, we proudly recognized teammates celebrating significant service milestones—individuals whose years of dedication have helped shape Goodwill into what it is today.
5 Years of Service
Teammates like Alyssa Titus, Sandra Smith-Clark, Richard Brooks, Jenny Pohlmeier, Bradley Driml, Amanda Godding, Tia Hayman, Kira Darling, Curtiss Dill, Patricia Garcia, Scott Dubbs, Michaela Dack, Patricia Garrison, and Debra Schinkel represent the next generation of leadership and stability across our organization.
10 Years of Service
Rick Lockard, Tracy Karr-Hansen, Dana Karschner, Brayden Suhr, Heidi Kanniard, Francisco Mosqueda Jiminez, Marie Rodriguez-Divis, Chelsie Blunt, and Joslin McCoy have spent a decade strengthening our mission and creating lasting impact in their communities.
15+ Years of Service
Heath Prunty, Lydia Stahla, and Michelle Ernst each represent 15 years of dedication, while Margaret Ruh was recognized for 20 years of service—a remarkable testament to commitment, consistency, and passion for Goodwill’s mission.
More Than Recognition—A Celebration of Impact
While awards highlight individual achievements, this celebration is ultimately about something bigger: the collective impact of our entire team.
Because of our teammates:
- Individuals across Greater Nebraska are finding employment and independence
- Families are building stability and brighter futures
- Communities are stronger, more connected, and more resilient
Every interaction—whether in a store, program, or office—helps create opportunity and change lives.
Thank You to Our Goodwill Team
To every Goodwill teammate—whether recognized this year or not—thank you. Your work matters. Your dedication makes a difference. And your commitment to our mission drives everything we do.
As we look ahead, we remain inspired by the passion and purpose of our team. Together, we will continue building brighter futures, stronger communities, and opportunities for all.
Because at Goodwill, it’s not just about what we do—it’s about the people who make it possible.