Goodwill Kentucky Announce Retirement of President & CEO Amy Luttrell
Leader to Conclude Distinguished 46-Year Career Marked by Transformational Growth, Innovation, and Commitment to Helping Kentuckians Find Pathways Out of Poverty
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Board of Directors of Goodwill Kentucky today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer Amy Luttrell has informed the Board of her decision to retire following an accomplished tenure leading one of Kentucky's largest nonprofit organizations.
Luttrell has served as President and CEO of Goodwill Kentucky since 2014, leading the organization through a period of unprecedented growth and transformation. Luttrell's retirement marks the culmination of a career dedicated to expanding opportunity for Kentuckians through workforce development, education, and employment. Under her leadership, Goodwill Kentucky has experienced significant growth in both its retail operations and mission services, strengthening its ability to help thousands of individuals each year find pathways out of poverty.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our deepest gratitude to Amy for her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to the people of Kentucky," said Debra Murphy, Chair of the Goodwill Kentucky Board of Directors. "Her vision, compassion, and strategic leadership have transformed this organization, expanded our impact across the Commonwealth, and positioned Goodwill Kentucky to serve generations to come. Her legacy will be measured not only by organizational growth, but by the lives that have been changed through meaningful employment, education, and hope."
“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. “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.”
Luttrell’s career with Goodwill began in 1979 in Nashville, TN and continued in Johnstown, PA and Dayton, OH before returning to her home state of Kentucky in 2014. She brought with her a vision for building on the work of Roland Blahnik, who served as CEO of Goodwill Kentucky from 1984 to 2014.
Under Luttrell’s leadership, the organization strengthened and expanded its statewide retail network – now encompassing 70 stores – which generates the revenue and jobs that fuel Goodwill Kentucky’s mission.
At the same time, Luttrell led a fundamental transformation of the organization’s mission delivery. Under Luttrell’s leadership, Goodwill Kentucky launched its network of Opportunity Centers across the Commonwealth, creating welcoming community hubs where Kentuckians can access career coaching, education, job placement, transportation assistance, digital skills, expungement services, and other supports designed to remove barriers to employment.
Her leadership also led to the creation of Kentucky’s first Goodwill Excel Center®, providing adults the opportunity 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.
Together, these initiatives have dramatically increased Goodwill Kentucky’s impact, helping thousands more Kentuckians each year find employment, 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.”
Luttrell’s influence extends far beyond Kentucky. Throughout her career, she has served on the Goodwill Industries International Board of Directors, including as Board Chair, chaired the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries and the Mid-Atlantic Goodwill Industries Coalition, and received numerous national honors recognizing her leadership and service.
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.
“Amy leaves behind far more than a successful organization,” Murphy said. “She leaves a culture of innovation, compassion and excellence that will continue changing lives throughout Kentucky for decades to come.”
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.
About Goodwill Kentucky For more than 100 years, Goodwill Kentucky has helped Kentuckians find pathways out of poverty through the transformative power of work. Operating in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties, Goodwill Kentucky places over 3,000 Kentuckians into jobs each year through its 1,400-plus employer partners and its own retail stores. These life-changing opportunities are made possible through donations to Goodwill Kentucky stores and community support. Revenue generated through the sale of donated goods funds these life-changing programs and services throughout Kentucky. The organization reinvests approximately 90 cents of every dollar earned in its retail stores into job training and workforce programs. When you give to Goodwill, you do a lot of good.
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