Goodwill Careers | How an Inclusive Workplace Brought Marcus to Goodwill

Proud Native American Combat Veteran Brings Helps Drive Job Success 

At Goodwill, we believe that everyone has a unique perspective and should be part of an inclusive and accessible work environment, regardless of background or abilities.  

Marcus Perez joined Goodwill because he was attracted to the combination of supporting business growth and strengthening our nonprofit mission impact. “Goodwill is the first place I’ve encountered that could give me the best of both worlds,” Marcus shares. 

As a Native American and Veteran, Marcus brings a diverse skillset to his role overseeing talent acquisition and human resources compliance for Goodwill. After serving in the U.S. Armed Forces for 14 years, he transferred those leadership skills to his civilian career, leading teams and helping grow Goodwill’s workforce. 

“I took a lot of great lessons from my time in boots. I would say my leadership style is probably where you see it the most… I value development and work hard to make sure my team is always working toward their own goals, and I support them wherever I can.” 

Marcus belongs to two Native American tribes – he’s an enrolled member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi in Kansas and was born and raised Menominee on their reservation in Wisconsin.  

“Something I take with me from growing up on a reservation is knowing what it’s like to come from a disadvantaged place in the world. I find that opportunity and knowledge are things that often live behind closed doors and, as a result, I work hard to open those doors,” Marcus shares as he reflects on how his experiences help him positively impact others.  

In his role at Goodwill, he values diversity and inclusion as two key aspects of fostering a successful workplace and looks for common ground with people he works alongside. “Having these two core experiences [as a Native American and Veteran] helped me realize the importance of finding common ground and valuing all the things that make us unique.”  

Marcus believes that common ground helps us move in the same direction toward a shared goal. But the differences – that’s where the magic happens. “We’re all the same enough to be cooking the same dish, but we’re all different enough that everyone brings their own ingredients to the kitchen. That’s where unique solutions to common problems are born.”