Nicole Suydam

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GOODWILL OF ORANGE COUNTY NAMES NICOLE SUYDAM AS PRESIDENT AND CEO

September 4, 2018

Nicole Suydam

Goodwill of Orange County announced today the appointment of Nicole Suydam as president and CEO of the social enterprise organization.

Suydam, who served nearly a decade as Goodwill of Orange County’s vice president of Development, has more than 20 years of management and leadership experience working with local and national nonprofits dedicated to meeting human service needs. Suydam begins with Goodwill of Orange County Oct. 15, 2018.

“Goodwill of Orange County’s Board of Directors is extremely pleased to welcome Nicole back to the organization as president and CEO,” Chairman of the Board Richard Trueblood said. “Her appointment comes at an important time in the organization’s 94-year history as we continue to grow in every aspect of our operation. With Nicole’s proven leadership skills and forward-thinking vision, we will be uniquely positioned to serve more individuals in our community and advance our mission to change lives through the power of work.”

Since 2012, Suydam has served as CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Last year alone, she oversaw the distribution of more than 25 million meals to families and individuals as she guided a vast network of more than 200 community partners who collectively distribute food to those in need and work toward a shared goal of ending hunger in Orange County. Under her leadership, Second Harvest earned Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating in 2018 for the first time, the highest rating for fiscal responsibility and effectiveness.

Prior to her tenure at Second Harvest, Suydam served as vice president of Development at Goodwill of Orange County.

“Having previously worked at Goodwill of Orange County, I have a deep appreciation for and understanding of the critical work the organization is doing to change and enhance the lives of thousands of individuals facing barriers in Orange County,” Suydam said. “I’m thrilled to return to the organization in this capacity with new insight and experience under my belt. I look forward to working with the leadership team and Board of Directors to establish Goodwill’s vision for the future and make a positive impact on our community.”

Suydam was recognized with the 2018 Women of the Year Award by the Orange County Business Journal,and in 2017 was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential” by the Orange County Register. In addition, Suydam was named “Altruist of the Year” by Modern Luxury Orange Countyfor her tireless efforts to enhance the county and the lives of families and individuals.

Suydam graduated from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, and today serves as president of its Alumni Association Board and is a member of the university’s Board of Trustees.

About Goodwill of Orange County
Goodwill helps people who are facing barriers to find and keep jobs, which provides purpose, pride, and dignity. Founded on the belief that every person should have the opportunity to achieve the independence that work provides, Goodwill is most recognized for being the conduit where donated goods are sold in America’s favorite thrift stores to generate the revenue that provides the services to those who face employment challenges. Goodwill of Orange County, which marked its 94thyear of service in 2018, has supported hundreds of thousands of Orange County residents since its inception by creating and providing quality training and employment services to empower its program participants to be productive and independent. The nonprofit organization has dozens of programs that support this effort, including the Goodwill Rogers A. Severson Fitness & Technology Center, Orange County’s only facility specially designed for people suffering from chronic illnesses and physical disabilities; its global approach to serving veterans and their families, Goodwill of Orange County Tierney Center for Veteran Services, which helps former service members and their families find resources and services to meet and serve their unique needs, including housing, job placement, education, and wellness; and its Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC), which provides access to more than 1,000 state-of-the-art technology devices for children and adults with disabilities. These are just a few of Goodwill of Orange County’s innovative programs that have served those facing barriers in Orange County for the past nine decades. To learn more about Goodwill of Orange County, visit ocgoodwill.org.

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