We strive to be something greater.

Felicia Hunter leads Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit's Employment and Training services. Felicia has been with the organization since 1995, promoting the organization’s mission of putting people with employment challenges to work. Felicia is committed to engaging the community. Her team provides quality employment and training opportunities to over 12,000 individuals each year. She also serves on several boards and national advocacy efforts in the Detroit area.

Gayle Joseph joined Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit in November 2022. She serves as Vice President of Communications, Marketing and Government Affairs. Gayle is an award-winning communications leader and experienced brand journalist skilled in organizational change, corporate and executive communications, and multi-media storytelling. Over the years, she has held leadership positions working with many notable brands, including Microsoft, the Rock Ventures Family of Companies, Guardian Industries, General Motors, Kelly Services, Sprint, Wahlburgers, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

A lifelong Metro Detroit resident, Gayle is active in her community. She serves on the board of Advancing Macomb and is a member of Macomb County Chamber, Inforum, Detroit Regional Chamber, Detroit Economic Club and Public Relations Society of America. Gayle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and public relations from Northern Illinois University. She is currently enrolled in the Fine Art program at Macomb Community College.

Michael Kleinheksel is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit.

Before joining Goodwill, Michael was a global finance automotive executive for Adient (formerly Johnson Controls) for 24 years. He last served as the CFO of Yanfeng Global Automotive Interiors in Shanghai, a JV which was 30% owned by Adient. Prior to his China assignment, he was the VP Finance of Global Seating (JIT/Trim/Foam/Engineering/Purchasing), working to achieve Profit and Strategic Plan financial commitments including Sales, EBIT, TWC, ROA and CAPEX. Michael served 10 of his 24 years with Adient outside of the US on expatriate assignments including China, Japan and Mexico.

Prior to joining Adient, Michael spent six years with the retail company L Brands in various operational finance and corporate FP&A roles.

Michael holds a BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from Grand Valley State University and an MBA in Finance from Michigan State University.

Mark Maher joined Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit in December of 2016. He serves as Vice President of Information Technology.

Mark has over 30 years of experience as a technology and business leader. He has experience with both internal and external customer facing roles across many industries. These industries include technology, manufacturing, retail, distribution and health care. Mark worked for 16 years as the Director of Information Technology at New World Systems and 3 years as the Operations Manager of the Managed and Security Services at Networks Group. He also has non-profit experience as IT Manager at Oakland Family Services. Mark leads the IT team in supporting Goodwill Detroit’s corporate functions, donated goods stores and the many mission driven programs and services.

Mark attended Central Michigan University. He pursued a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems.

Jen has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector in development, marketing, and executive positions. She has worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, PetSmart Charities, and the Banfield Pet Hospital Foundation, leading organizational strategy, development, and marketing efforts. In the Vice President of Fund Development role, Jen will focus on creating and employing a long-term development plan to diversify funding opportunities. Additionally, Jen is eager to collaborate with community and business leaders to continue advancing the organization’s mission and driving the economy of Greater Detroit.

Jen is a graduate of Western Michigan University.

As a highly accomplished executive with extensive experience in advertising, marketing strategy, project management, digital media planning and vertical integration, Mr. Rutledge is currently the President and CEO of Goodwill Green Works (GGW) a subsidiary of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit (GIGD). Mr. Rutledge is responsible for leading the organization in every aspect of the business including, diversifying revenue streams and ensuring profitability while delivering quality service. His responsibilities also include the overall safety initiatives in GGW, GIGD and commercial sales and operations. As a member of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Executive team, he helps set the organization’s strategic direction and contributes to the entire organization’s successful execution of the strategic plan.

Prior to joining GGW, Rutledge held several positions at Habitat for Humanity Detroit including: Director of Operations, ReStore Director, and Procurement Manager. During his tenure at Habitat in partnership with the board and CEO, Rutledge was pivotal in executing and implementing a turnaround strategy.

As an aspiring young professional Rutledge recognized the importance of giving back to his community. As a result of his commitment to community, he co-founded the non-profit Legacy Associates Foundation (LAF), which focused on economic empowerment, scholastic achievement, and community involvement.

Raul Soto joined Goodwill on June 20, 2023 as vice president of human resources and organizational development. He has decades of experience in the technology and manufacturing fields, along with federal service, most recently at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington D.C., where he optimized the talent attraction process for women in technology and for indigenous and under-represented individuals. He also served on the White House Council for Women and Girls, focused on economic empowerment and domestic abuse prevention.

As an executive over the past 25 years, Raul has led a variety of industry HR specializations in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, South America and the United States for such leading Fortune 100 companies as AlliedSignal, Visteon, Varity Kelsey-Hayes, United Technologies and ArcelorMetal.

Raul is an honors graduate in computer science and economics from the University of Texas-Pan American and earned an MBA from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, specializing in human resources and international business.

Jeff Ukrainec is the Vice President of Donated Goods. He manages the store operations, warehouse, distribution, transportation and e-commerce operations of Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit.

Jeff came to Goodwill in 2009 as a Director. He led the re-launch of the Donated Goods Division. Jeff oversaw all the planning and development of six new retail stores in the Metro Detroit area. These responsibilities included site review and acquisition, construction, public relations, advertising, and operations management. Before coming to Goodwill, Jeff held many leadership positions with Ford Motor Company.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and an MBA from Wayne State University. He is also a 2015 graduate of the Goodwill Industries International Executive Development Program.

Dan Varner is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. Before joining Goodwill, Dan served as the CEO at Excellent Schools Detroit, a partnership of Detroit organizations working to improve Detroit’s public education systems.

He has also worked as a program officer at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation on both the Michigan and Education & Learning teams. At the Foundation, he co-led the redevelopment of a local giving strategy for Detroit.

Dan is also the co-founder and former CEO of Think Detroit, a nationally-recognized, award-winning youth development organization. Dan merged Think Detroit with Detroit PAL to create the largest provider of youth development sports programs in Detroit. The organization continues to operate as Detroit PAL today, and now serves 13,000 participants each year.

Dan has received many awards and his work has been recognized by two Presidential administrations. He serves on many boards of directors, including the ACLU of Michigan, ConnectEd, Capital Impact Partners, and Detroit PAL. He also served on Michigan’s State Board of Education for four years. He is a current member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Dan is an attorney by training, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Law School.

Blair Vesterfelt is a highly accomplished business and manufacturing management executive with experience in global business account management, multi-site operations, general management, TQM and safety.

Blair has a long track record of success in new business development/acquisition, launch execution, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, manufacturing engineering, supply, product development and strategy in the automotive industry.

Currently, Blair serves as the Executive Vice President of Goodwill Industrial Solutions (GIS) at Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit. Under the direction of the President and CEO, Blair is responsible for leading, directing and administering all operational areas of GIS to achieve business goals and support the organization’s mission. As a member of the Executive Team, Blair also helps set Goodwill Detroit’s strategic direction and contributes to the entire organization’s successful execution of the strategic plan.

Directly prior to Goodwill, Blair was the Managing Director – Americas at Adient (formerly Johnson Controls) from 1998 to 2018. It was there that Blair had P & L responsibility for $2B in sales for the Americas region. In addition, he led a team of senior leaders and business managers and championed a global task force focused on best business practices and continuous improvement.
Blair has a Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Faculty Engineering and Applied Science, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.