Goodwill Kentucky announces retirement of president and CEO

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Kentucky, Amy Luttrell, has confirmed her decision to retire, according to a release Tuesday.

This follows her time leading one of the Commonwealth’s larges nonprofit organizations, the release says.

According to Goodwill Kentucky, Luttrell served as president and CEO since 2014, leading the organization through a period of “unprecedented growth and transformation.”

Luttrell’s career was “dedicated to expanding opportunity for Kentuckians through workforce development, education and employment,” according to the release.

The release further says under Luttrell’s leadership, the nonprofit had significant growth in its retail operations and mission services.

“Serving Goodwill has been the privilege of my life,” said Luttrell. “For more than four decades, I have witnessed the power of work to restore dignity, build confidence and change lives. I am grateful to the thousands of employees, board members, donors, partners, and volunteers who have shared this journey with me. Together, we have built an organization that is stronger than ever and well positioned to serve Kentuckians for generations to come.”

Reflecting on her retirement, Luttrell said the time seemed right for her to retire.

She stated, “Goodwill Kentucky is stronger today than at any point in our history. We have a thriving retail operation, a solid financial foundation, an experienced leadership team, and a strategic plan that is already guiding our future. Our impact reaches communities across the Commonwealth every day, helping thousands of Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty. Because of that strength, this is not a time of uncertainty – it is a time of opportunity. The organization is exceptionally well positioned for a thoughtful leadership transition that builds upon an extraordinary legacy while ensuring Goodwill Kentucky continues to grow, innovate, and transform lives now and into the future.”

Under her leadership, Goodwill Kentucky states it also launched its network of Opportunity Centers across Kentucky, community hubs where Kentuckians can access career coaching, education, job placement, transportation assistance, digital skills, expungement services and other support designed to remove barriers to employment.

According to the nonprofit, Luttrell’s roles also led to the creation of the state’s first Goodwill Excel Center®, providing adults the chance to earn a tuition-free high school diploma while receiving personalized coaching and wraparound support.

Additional investments in housing, reentry services, homelessness initiatives and employer partnerships further strengthened Goodwill Kentucky’s ability to help individuals and families achieve long-term stability, the nonprofit states.

Together, the nonprofit states these initiatives have dramatically increased Goodwill Kentucky’s impact, helping thousands more Kentuckians each year find jobs, improve their earning potential and build pathways out of poverty.

“Amy challenged us to think bigger about what Goodwill could be,” said Murphy. “She understood that every donated item and every retail purchase represents an opportunity to invest in someone’s future. Her vision transformed Goodwill Kentucky into one of the nation’s premier workforce development organizations while never losing sight of the dignity and potential of every individual we serve.”

The Goodwill Kentucky Board of Directors has initiated a national search for the organization’s next President and CEO. The Board is committed to ensuring a seamless leadership transition while continuing the organization’s strategic momentum and unwavering commitment to helping Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty.

As Goodwill Kentucky looks toward its next chapter, the organization remains steadfast in its mission of helping Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty through education, employment and the elimination of barriers to opportunity.