Goodwill Careers | Why Marcus Works at Goodwill

Finding Purpose in Finding Jobs for Others 

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. 

After serving in the U.S. Armed Forces for 14 years, Marcus brings a wide range of skills to his role overseeing talent acquisition and human resources compliance for Goodwill. He has successfully transferred his leadership skills to a 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 is 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 place where it can be harder to get ahead. 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 fostering a successful workplace and looks for common ground with people he works alongside. “Having these two core experiences 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 bringing different life experiences – that’s where the magic happens. “We’re all the same enough to be cooking the same dish, yet everyone brings their own ingredients to the kitchen. That’s where unique solutions to common problems are born.”