Clayton Pryor Receives Chicago Defender ‘Men of Excellence’ Recognition
Chief Mission Officer, Clayton Pryor, has been named one of the 2026 ‘Men of Excellence’ by the Chicago Defender, a longstanding online newspaper. Clayton is recognized for his leadership, impact within workforce development and contributions to the Chicago community and beyond.
See all the 2026 ‘Men of Excellence’ Nominees.
Driving Goodwill’s Mission Forward
For Pryor, the work has always been about expanding what’s possible – for individuals, families and communities. With nearly two decades of experience advancing economic mobility and job creation, he brings a deep belief that access to opportunity can transform lives.
As chief mission officer, Pryor leads the strategy behind Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago’s mission: Connecting people to work. Preparing people for life. Every day, that work comes to life through programs that meet people where they are and help them move forward with confidence. Across 23 counties in Wisconsin and Illinois, Pryor guides efforts that are growing opportunity and strengthening communities.
Under his leadership, Goodwill is impacting the lives of more than 119,000 people while expanding workforce initiatives, fueling innovation and ensuring more people have access to the support they need to succeed.
“Transformation doesn’t happen overnight – it happens one person at a time. It happens in small moments. The right support at the right time can change the trajectory of someone’s life.”- Clayton Pryor, Chief Mission Officer