Around the halls of Goodwill of Greater Detroit, Felicia Hunter has been a familiar face for years.
“I’ve been here 45 years,” Hunter said with a smile.
Hunter said she’s constantly repeated one motto for nearly five decades working with the nonprofit. It’s a phrase has helped guide and motivate her along the way.
“It’s only what we do for others that matters,” Hunter said. “I have truly taken that to heart.”
Hunter began her career at Goodwill of Greater Detroit in 1976, working as a counselor.
On Tuesday (Dec. 10), she’s helping make a huge impact on various community members and staffers in her executive role. Hunter said her mission is focused on people.
“Here I am, today, as Chief Mission Officer, where I’m leading with a group of directors, the day-to-day operations and just fantastic services that are just making a difference on a daily basis,” Hunter said.
Team members described Hunter as being instrumental in helping launch and oversee mission-related services across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties for Goodwill of Greater Detroit.
She’s helping facilitate classes and programs like career centers, welding, electric vehicle technician training, and many more initiatives and programs that are helping to change lives.
“Just here in the Clubhouse, individuals are, for instance, learning about housing resources, employment resources, educational resources, and connecting individuals with serious mental illness to live independently in their community and partake in those various services,” Hunter said.
Her time around the halls of the nonprofit’s headquarters is soon ending. Hunter announced she’ll be retiring next year. She said the decision to retire was tough.
“I have so many relationships here that are important,” Hunter said.
As she reflects on her tenure with Goodwill of Greater Detroit, the team she leads, and the people they serve, Hunter admits saying farewell is bittersweet.
“What makes me most proud is that people feel comfortable being in the presence of Goodwill of Greater Detroit,” said Hunter.