Longtime Goodwill employee promoted

SANDUSKY – Goodwill Industries of Erie, Huron, Ottawa and Sandusky Counties recently promoted human resources director Bambi Link to the position of vice president of people operations. Link, who has worked for the local charity for 15 years, will continue to oversee the company's human resources department as well as training and development along with safety and administration. Her new role will also include overseeing the nonprofit's mission department as well as the areas of community development, donor acquisition and marketing. "Bambi has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication and a deep commitment to our company's success over the past 15 years," said Jason Stout, the local Goodwill organization's president and CEO. "We are confident that Bambi will continue to excel and lead us to new heights in this new position." Link, a graduate of The Ohio State University, worked for Cardinal Staffing as a branch human resources manager before joining the Goodwill team in 2010 as a human resources manager. She moved into her role as human resources director in 2015. "I have seen this organization grow tremendously over the years and accomplish wonderful things," Link said. "I work alongside passionate individuals who are dedicated to making a difference, and I have formed lifelong friendships in the process. I look forward to getting involved in other departments within the agency and collaborating with more members of our dedicated team." Link then clued others in on one of her primary goals: "to help the community better understand our mission, which goes beyond our retail stores." "Goodwill offers many great programs that serve different groups of people within the community, including the formerly incarcerated, senior citizens and youth," she said. The local Goodwill stores and manufacturing plants fund the nonprofit's workforce development programming. These programs include the: • ReStart program, which helps individuals who have been involved in the justice system find and sustain employment • Senior Community Service Employment Program, which helps individuals 55 and older obtain community employment • Summer Youth Work Experience program, which provides real-world job experiences for individuals with disabilities The nonprofit's mission is "empowering lives through employment pathways that foster independence and personal growth to build strong communities."