My Story: Laura Walling

I started working for Goodwill Industries International eight years ago.  After law school, I knew I wanted to work in government relations.  I moved to DC without a job and furnished my apartment with items from Goodwill.
When I landed a job with the headquarters, I was ecstatic to work for a company with a mission I support and assumed I would become an expert in retail (I’m already a great shopper!) and workforce development.  Little did I know all of the other policy issues that affect Goodwill –  issues pertaining to people with criminal backgrounds, electronic waste, federal contracts, Pell Grants, and everything in between.

Many of the demographics of people Goodwill serves are within my own family including seniors, long-term unemployed and people with disabilities.
As Goodwill Industries International’s director of advocacy and legislative affairs, it’s my job to advocate on behalf of Goodwill and the people we serve.  While politics can be frustrating, I know our democracy works, and I’ve seen firsthand how the collective voice of Goodwill supporters can influence our policymakers.
I am honored to be one of our loudest voices.