Each spring, Goodwill of Greater Washington (Goodwill) hosts its annual RISE Awards Celebration. This annual event recognizes teams and team members for outstanding performance and representation of our core values: Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. 

While two team members are selected to receive an award highlighting each of our four core values, the reality is that winners are selected based on how they live out all of our values, collectively. Team members are nominated by their peers and the final winners are selected by a presidential commission led by Goodwill CEO, Catherine Meloy. Additional awards are presented for our Retail Store of the Year, Most Improved Retail Store of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Contracts Site of the Year, and to our Safety Sites of the Year.

We're proud to share the list of our 2024 RISE Award Winners!

Representing RESPECT:

Roland Simms - Groundsperson, National Gallery of Art

Victoria Westbury – Teacher, Goodwill Excel Center

Representing INTEGRITY:

Tim Vanderwerp - Director of Learning & Development

Rafael Otero – Assistant Manager, Ecommerce

Representing SERVICE:

Dillon Herrera - Senior Maintenance Technician

Milton Ridgeway – Glass Cleaner, Food & Drug Administration

Representing EXCELLENCE:

Craig Newman: General Manager, Retail & Donated Goods

Salome Kingston-Williams – Teacher, Goodwill Excel Center

TEACHER OF THE YEAR: Sawsan Malek – Goodwill Excel Center 

RETAIL STORE OF THE YEAR: "Dulles", 45380 Manifest Blvd., Sterling, VA

MOST IMPROVED RETAIL STORE OF THE YEAR: "Kings Highway", 6220 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA

CONTRACT SITE OF THE YEAR: Joint Base Anacostia - Bolling

CONTRACTS SAFETY SITE OF THE YEAR: Food & Drug Administration 

RETAIL SAFETY STORE OF THE YEAR - "Manassas", 8117 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA

Congratulations to all of our winners!  We couldn't be prouder to celebrate each of you as true ambassadors for Goodwill of Greater Washington!